Vol. 500 No. 4
333 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the contact, if any, he has had with private schools providing English language tuition to foreign students regarding the provision of visas for incoming students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4090/99]
334 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will assist students coming to Ireland to attend private schools providing English language tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4091/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.
My Department recognises the importance of the English language industry and meets with industry representatives on an ongoing basis. The most recent meeting took place last week and amendments are currently being made to the student visa guidelines on the basis of these and previous consultations. My Department is also represented on the Board of the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS). Of course, English language schools are also in regular contact with my Department regarding visas for particular prospective students and my officials are in a position to meet with individual schools as the need arises.
I have also allocated additional resources to the visa section of my Department in order to improve the service to the industry, individual students and visa applicants in general.
