Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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2637.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of introducing a national financial aid fund to support international students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Ordinarily, international students wishing to study in Ireland must be able to demonstrate that they can support themselves financially in order to obtain permission to study here.

However, there are supports in place for those who have arrived in Ireland as refugees. Under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, those fleeing Russia's war in Ukraine are supported via a range of measures to facilitate access to the Irish post-secondary education system. My Department also operates the International Protection Student Scheme for persons who have been in the protection system or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage for at least 3 years, have been resident in Ireland for 3 years and who are pursuing an approved post leaving certificate, undergraduate or postgraduate course.

In addition, individual higher education institutions have arrangements in place for students facing difficulties. Given this range of existing supports I do not believe that a stand alone fund to support international students would be the most effective use of the public finances.