Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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251. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on visa requirements for international students in third level courses (details supplied). [26167/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students, who are granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission, and engages on an ongoing basis with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectoral stakeholders, in this area.

The validity period of a residence permission to remain in the State on a Stamp 2 basis is based on confirmation of enrolment in an academic year or term. Renewal of an Irish immigration permission to be in the State for an educational purpose arises from the requirement that the student must demonstrate progression in their studies, i.e. pass their exams for that year and enrol in the subsequent year.

If the student does not progress in their studies or, does not continue their course of study, they will no longer be enrolled in the educational institution and thus, cannot have their student permission renewed on the basis of anticipation of further study.

The conditions attaching to all immigration permissions are kept under ongoing review by my Department in conjunction with relevant stakeholders. However, there are no plans to change this approach to the renewal of student immigration permission at this time.