Student Visas Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2015

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Questions (134)

Finian McGrath

Question:

134. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will examine the reform of the international education sector and student immigration system government policy statement of May 2015 which states that the interim list of eligible programmes will be implemented fully by 1 October 2015, and will remain in place until the international education mark is fully operational, at which point a more permanent system for programme eligibility will be established; if she will confirm that the deadline of 1 October 2015 will be met; if not, when the intended date for implementation is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33777/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As with any new process, the arrangements for the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) is taking some time to bed down and there have been some gaps in the information provided in the majority of applications. This is being addressed with the education providers on an ongoing basis. The overall process is generally taking somewhat longer than anticipated. As a result the next phase of the reforms intended for 1 October 2015, and in particular the publication of an updated ILEP, will be delayed for a number of weeks. Providers have been informed. A new date will be notified shortly.

Until the ILEP is published, the current Internationalisation Register will continue to apply in respect of English Language Programmes. As a result, the planned reduction (from 12 to 8 months) in the standard immigration permission available for the purposes of pursuing an English language programme, to be implemented in conjunction with the ILEP, will be also be deferred until its publication.