Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
540. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of third-level students who have availed of the Erasmus+ programme in the 2020-2021 academic year; the number of third-level students who abandoned their plans to avail of the Erasmus+ programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5635/21]
View answerDespite disruptions to the programme caused by the pandemic, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which is the national agency with responsibility for the Erasmus+ programme at Higher Education level, oversaw 4079 Erasmus outbound mobilities from Ireland (3876 students and 203 staff) and 8655 incoming mobilities to Ireland (7648 students and 1007 staff) for the 2019/2020 period. The Higher Education Institutions are still in the process of returning the 2020-2021 figures to the HEA, but initial indications are that these figures will be just under half of the previous year's totals.
My Department and its Agencies and Higher education institutions will continue to take into consideration the public health advice available during these challenging times and will continue to work with students, their representatives and the European Commission to ensure a safe and continued Erasmus+ experience.
