asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to elaborate on the plans for increased cultural and educational exchanges between this country and the United States of America as announced by President Ronald Reagan in his speech at University College, Galway, on 2 June: if he can indicate the nature of the scholarships and the exchange programmes envisaged; the funding involved; and the way in which the programmes will be administered and the time scale involved.
Written Answers. - Academic Exchange Programme.
391.
As the Deputy may be aware there already exists a programme of academic exchanges between this country and the United States of America. This programme is administered by the Scholarship Exchange Board which was established by the Scholarship Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1957. President Reagan, in his speech at University College, Galway, said "The Prime Minister and I are... pleased to announce our agreement to increase academic exchange programmes between the United States and Ireland. We have instructed the appropriate agencies of our two Governments to put this decision into effect as soon as possible".
Negotiations are currently taking place between my Department and the representatives of the United States Government with a view to working out the details. However, as no decisions have yet been reached, it is not possible at this stage to give information regarding the precise nature or funding of the expanded programme, nor of the way in which it will be administered. As to the timescale involved, it is hoped that the expanded programme will be established by the 1985-86 academic year.