Vol. 467 No. 4
40 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the estimated total number of foreign students that will visit Ireland in 1996; the number that are involved in student exchange; the number enrolled in language schools; the benefits, if any, accruing to the economy from these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13398/96]
I assume that the question relates to overseas students who come here specifically to study English as a foreign language and not just for general study or holiday purposes.
In 1995 some 104,000 English language students, aged 16 years and over visited Ireland. Obviously, the total English language learning (EFL) market is somewhat larger if those students aged under 16 years, for which no figures are available, are included. Bord Fáilte expect further growth over 1996.
The vast majority of English language students enrol in a language school and the trend is to stay with host families. Figures do not exist that illustrate the breakdown between those involved in student exchange and those paying the respective host families. The trend is, however, for students to pay host families rather than engage in exchanges.
The Irish economy benefits in a significant way from English language students. EFL students are particularly valued visitors as they tend to stay for longer periods of time, without displacing other tourists as they generally stay with host families. Typically, EFL students spend £1,000 per head in Ireland. Bord Fáilte estimates that the English language learning market was worth approximately £104 million in 1995.
The Operational Programme for Tourism recognises that English language learning has been a major growth area in Irish tourism in recent years and continued investment in this sector in product development and marketing, particularly co-operative marketing, will be encouraged through the programme. Spain, France and Italy remain Ireland's main sources of business, but schools are increasingly concentrating on developing other European markets, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, as well as co-operatively seeking to break into Eastern Europe and the lucrative Far East-South American markets.
