Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
102. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria in bringing international students to Ireland to study in private college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/13]
View answerThe Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is responsible for determining visa and immigration policy, including in respect of non-EEA nationals who wish to study in Ireland. In considering visa and immigration applications, INIS makes reference to the Internationalisation Register, operated on my Department's behalf by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). This is a register of education and training programmes which meet certain criteria which have been developed in line with Government policy. Information on the Register and the criteria, including how to list programmes on the register, can be found on the following website: www.nqai.ie/internationalisation.html. In due course, and in line with the provisions of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, QQI will be introducing a new quality assurance regime for international education. They will be establishing a Code of Practice for certain providers who can apply for an 'International Education Mark' to confirm compliance with the code and to illustrate their suitability in providing programmes of education and training to international learners. When these new arrangements are in place, INIS will have regard to the International Education Mark when determining student visa and immigration policy.
