Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
549. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he still plans to allow international postgraduate students to remain in Ireland and work for up to a year after the end of their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme has been in operation since 2007 with some amendment in 2011. This scheme allows legally resident non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland after the completion of their studies for the purpose of seeking employment and applying for a green card permit or employment permit.
Under the current student immigration rules a non EEA student who has successfully completed an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body, at Level 8 or above of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), may be eligible for a one year permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This one year permission is currently in operation and has been available to non-EEA students who have successfully completed a course of the type set out above since the introduction of the current non-EEA student immigration rules.
In addition the Deputy may also wish to note that a six month permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is available to non-EEA students who have successfully completed an award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body at Level 7 of the NFQ. During the period of permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme a student can work full time (up to 40hrs per week). I have no immediate plans to change these arrangements. Ireland needs to compete to attract high quality international students and this concession is supportive of that effort.
