Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has undertaken a study to determine if there is any disparity in rates of youth emigration across different graduate groups based on their area of study or qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25799/23]
View answerA core objective of the tertiary system is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to adapt to living and working sustainably, whether that is in Ireland or abroad. The International Education strategy recognises the value of both inbound and outbound mobility, providing opportunities for learners to broaden their experience and strengthen global linkages for Ireland. Of the 2021 class of higher education graduates, 14.3% (10,340) were non-Irish domiciled students who completed their studies and graduated in Ireland, a factor which may also impact on graduate retention in Ireland post-graduation.
The Department has not, to date, delivered a comparative study on the outcomes across graduate groups in terms of migration patterns. The outcomes of graduates are monitored through data provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS, and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). A key resource is the higher education graduate outcomes survey coordinated by the HEA which does capture whether a respondent has acquired employment or is pursuing further study abroad and this information, in the form of the info-byte series of publications, is published by the HEA on www.hea.ie.
