Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a visa pathway for a non-EEA national to work as an au pair in Ireland if they have previously been in the country on an English study visa (details supplied). [8344/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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When a non-EEA national comes to Ireland to undertake a course of study, be that an English language course or a course at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a Stamp 2 student immigration permission will be granted.

A student may be granted an immigration permission for a maximum of three English language programmes of 8 months duration each. The total duration of immigration permission for a new student attending English language programmes is two years (i.e. three permissions of eight months each).

If a person wishes to stay on as a student after that time, they must enrol on a higher education programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). My Department's Immigration Service website sets out the immigration route for non-EEA national students at www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/

The student pathway also provides that international students may apply for an employment permit to allow them to register as workers in the State. If that application is successful, the graduate can then register as a worker in the State on a Stamp 1 immigration permission. Matters relating to employment permits do not fall within the remit of the Immigration Service and is a matter for the Employment Permits Division of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.