Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
255. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the INIS has changed policy with regard to the publication of quarterly statistics for student visas as part of the international education strategy; the process by which it was decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29267/18]
View answerIt is assumed the Deputy is referring to the policy document “Investing in Global Relationships – Ireland’s International Education Strategy 2010-15”.
Published in September 2010, the Strategy set out Ireland’s approach to increase the profile of Ireland’s education sector internationally. Under this Strategy, and the follow-up policy document “Irish Educated, Globally Connected – An International Education Strategy for Ireland, 2016-2020”, there were a number of strategic actions for the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
I am happy to confirm that many of these actions have been completed, including the extension of the third level graduate programme to allow for graduates at NFQ Level 8 to remain for one year after graduation and for two years for graduates of NFQ Level 9 and above, subject to certain conditions.
As part of the implementation of this Strategy, figures were published quarterly and this took place until the latter half of 2013. Resource constraints with priority being given to the processing of applications generally across the immigration system and the completion of the Strategy were considerations in discontinuing the publication of such statistics at the time.
This approach is being revisited with a view to determining how best to collate and publish these figures in future.
