Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1347. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered waiving mandatory in-person attendance of stamp two visa students including English language teachers until September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39579/21]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students. The re-opening of English language schools and in-person attendance is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).
DFHERIS has advised that, subject to the implementation of sector prepared reopening protocols and adherence to public health guidelines, in-person activity may begin to resume from 19 July 2021, where it is safe to do so. This applies to the existing cohort of ELE students currently in the State and DFHERIS further advises that there is no basis for the recruitment of new international students that may seek to travel to the State at this time.
In line with the policy direction from DFHERIS, providers may opt to remain closed, to provide blended learning or to continue operating wholly online.
Both prior to and during the pandemic to date, ELE students in Ireland with a Stamp 2 immigration permission are required to attend at least 85% of their classes for the duration of their programme. For those students currently in the State, this can be achieved by attending in-person, online or both, subject to the method of delivery of these classes. Providers have been informed that the resumption of in-person activity should be taken in consultation with their staff and students.
