Overseas Students.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2005

Tuesday, 1 March 2005

Questions (288)

Denis Naughten

Question:

345 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 5 October 2004, the progress to date by the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6656/05]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The working group referred to by the Deputy has completed its work. Its report, entitled Internationalisation of Irish Education Services was published in November 2004. The report, which is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie, recommends, inter alia, the establishment of a new statutory body called Education Ireland to attract overseas students to Ireland.

My Department is currently engaged in a consultation process with the main stakeholders in the sector with a view to informing the implementation process and the preparation of the necessary legislation to establish Education Ireland. My Department will also consider the scope for implementing recommendations in the report on an administrative basis in advance of legislation.