Seán Haughey
Question:171 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to allow international students work part-time and during the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9267/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Students.
It has been the long-standing practice of my Department to admit non-EEA nationals to the State in order to study on condition that they are participating in a course of full-time private education at a recognised institution, that they are self-sufficient and that they do not take up employment while in the State.
Any change to this practice would require very careful consideration as to permit such students to take up employment when they would not otherwise be entitled to do so without a work permit could have serious negative consequences. There would be an unwelcome incentive for persons whose real objective is to access the labour market to enrol in a course or to prolong their attendance at a course, simply to be able to remain in employment here. It would be extremely expensive in terms of Garda resources, if not impossible, to police such arrangements with a view to ensuring that only genuine students were working.
The Deputy should be aware, however, that students are entitled to take up employment, whether paid or not, where such employment forms an integral part of a bona fide course of education, including professional education.