asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if and when the Government intend to enact legislation to reactivate the Fulbright scholarship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14.
Written Answers. - Scholarship Exchange Schemes.
12.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends amending the Scholarship Exchange (Ireland and USA) Act, 1957; and, if so: (a) the reasons for, and general nature of, the amendments envisaged; and (b) if he will indicate when he intends bringing legislation before the House.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 14 together.
Scholarship exchange between Ireland and the United States of America is administered by An Bord Scoláireachtaí Comalairte under the Scholarship Exchange (Ireland and the United States) Act, 1957.
Since President Reagan's visit in 1984 additional funds have been made available by the American Government for academic exchange. The new awards made possible by these funds are being administered on an interim basis by the United States Embassy in Dublin with the assistance of the members of An Bord Scoláireachtaí and in consultation with my Department.
Discussions are taking place between my Department and the US authorities on the administration and funding of academic exchange between the two countries in the future. As the Deputy is aware, it is not the practice to reveal details of current inter-governmental negotiations. It is too early to say at this stage whether the existing legislation will need to be amended as a result of such discussions.