Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2021
184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with third level institutes and the US embassy regarding courses that require study in the United States of America in order to graduate, in view of the Presidential Proclamation 10143 and its impact on student visa applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33944/21]
View answerThe processing of US student visas, and the provision of appointments at US Embassies, is solely a matter for the US authorities.
Officials in my department have brought this issue to the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs have informed us that they have raised the issue with the US Embassy in Dublin, encouraging them to process student visas as soon as it is feasible and safe to do so.
The Department of Foreign Affairs have further informed us that together with other EU countries, Ireland has also written to US Secretary of State Blinken requesting reconsideration of the US travel restrictions currently in place, and that they will continue to maintain regular contact with the Embassy, and with the US State Department via our Embassy in Washington D.C., including with regard to travel restrictions between our two countries.
