David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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668. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the scheme to allow for the continued participation in Erasmus+ mobilities for eligible students of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland; when he expects the scheme to be open for application; the way in which eligibility will be determined; the higher education institutions in Northern Ireland that will be recognised for the purposes of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1362/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, representatives of civic society from all communities in Northern Ireland expressed concern over the loss of access to the EU's Erasmus Mobility Programme for students in higher education. 

In responding to these concerns, the Irish Government has committed to providing continued access to Erasmus + higher education mobilities for students in NI institutions, now that the future partnership between the EU and the UK does not provide for this.  In implementing this commitment,  Ireland will seek to ensure compliance with Erasmus + programme regulations. 

With this in mind, eligible NI students will be able to register with Irish higher education institutions that hold the Erasmus Mobility Charter for the duration of their planned mobility. 

Officials in my Department have been engaging with the HEA, with representatives from our higher education institutions and with NI institutions to develop operational procedures for the scheme, with further meetings planned between NI and Irish higher education representatives in near future.

As I understand that current Erasmus mobilities in NI are funded by the British Council until the end of the current academic year, this scheme is planned to come into operation at the start of the next academic year in September 2021.