A note has been circulated to all members so they know what is involved.
International Agreements.
I am delighted at the opportunity to introduce the agreements on education co-operation between the Government of Ireland and the Government of Malaysia and between the Government of Ireland and the People's Republic of China. The general aim is to promote and encourage co-operation regarding education between Ireland and Malaysia and Ireland and China. These types of agreements arise in the wider context as the issue of wider education or international links becomes increasingly important in the EU, and it is important that we be fully part of that general movement.
We are in a good position, because of the reputation of our education system, to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for third level education and education generally. The signing of memoranda of understanding between Ireland and other countries, such as China and Malaysia, is very important. The agreement with China arises from the Taoiseach's visit in September 1998. Following that, a strategy was approved by the Government to undertake a series of projects to increase the awareness of Ireland among key decision makers in the area.
Irish-Chinese and Irish-Malaysian relations have been strengthened through the Asia-Europe meeting, the ASEM forum. It was established in 1996. The most recent summit was held in Copenhagen between 22 and 24 September 2002. These education agreements provide a framework to develop co-operation within the wider policy context. They will facilitate co-operation not just between the Irish, Chinese and Malaysian authorities, but also between Irish institutions in China and Malaysia.
Our institutions believe, as do I, that internationalisation can be very beneficial in the educational sector. It is also more widely beneficial because it builds contacts and good understanding between countries. I visited Malaysia recently and it is to provide science and mathematics education through English. The Malaysians have a great tradition of sending students abroad because they do not have the infrastructure to meet their needs. Ireland is in a unique position to meet some of those needs.
The same is true of China. We still have a relatively low number of students from China. Of the approximately 1,000 Malaysian students in Ireland, 600 study medicine. A memorandum of understanding between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Taylor's College was signed recently. Taylor's College is a local private secondary school catering for Malaysia's economic elite and it will conduct the RCSI's pre-medicine course, thus enabling students to go straight into first year medicine at the RCSI.
The President recently visited Malaysia and I met the wife of that country's Foreign Minister. She is a devout Muslim, but informed me that she could recite the Hail Mary as a result of the education she received from Irish nuns. People had a great regard for the Irish education system and Irish educators wherever I went in Malaysia.
Education co-operation agreements with both Malaysia and the People's Republic of China have much to offer our educational institutions and our students. I commend these agreements to the committee and ask it to send them to Dáil Éireann to formally approve their terms.
I welcome these agreements. It is noteworthy that Ireland receives only 1% of the 2 million students who study overseas. The Minister will be aware of a report issued some months ago about the teaching of English as a foreign language. It indicated the great growth potential for this industry in Ireland.
I understand there can be a 12 to 14 month delay in issuing visas to Chinese students. That is clogging up the system. A Bill to deal with working visas is to be published in the New Year, but I do not know if it will cover student visas. There is no point in talking about establishing an English language teaching industry if students cannot get here. Is there a backlog and can it be addressed?
I have come across this frequently and not just for students from China and Malaysia.
The Deputy is correct. As a result of the necessity to run checks there are delays and backlogs in the issuing of visas. It is not a direct responsibility for the Department, but it is a problem for us if students are delayed.
There are about 1,000 Chinese students in Ireland and most of them attend private colleges. There is great growth potential and there could be enormous benefits, both financially and in terms of establishing closer relations. It could also help increase understanding and lessen racial tensions. I am committed to the idea. I have seen what Australia has done in this area and it has made significant earnings.
I have raised this matter with the heads of the universities and the directors of the institutes of technology. I have raised it indirectly with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney. Bord Fáilte, Forfás and IDA Ireland also have a role to play. I want to meet with the interested parties and develop a plan to achieve this. International students have some problems with how they are treated in Ireland. Those are generally simple matters like, for example, not having medical cover at the weekends as the college medical facilities are closed. Those things will have to be rectified if we are to achieve success in this area.
There is also the issue of dispersing the students throughout the country. The institutes of technology would be quite capable of offering English languages classes in conjunction with technical courses. There is a tendency for the students to congregate in Dublin.
Will it be possible to include student visa procedures in the new visa Bill? Until student visas are put on a statutory footing they will always be held up in embassies.
That is an issue for the Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.
We will also raise it.