Thomas Byrne
Ceist:49. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of Brexit preparedness within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2718/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 January 2019
Ceisteanna (49)
Freagraí scríofa
Firstly, as someone from a border county, let me say that a no deal Brexit is the worst possible outcome and would not be in the interests of the UK, Ireland or the EU. While I, along with my cabinet colleagues, continue to closely watch developments in the UK, my Department continues work to prepare for the UK’s exit. This work, at national and EU level, continues to intensify, taking account of all possible outcomes.
Central to all planning scenarios, the maintenance of rights and privileges under the Common Travel Area (CTA) will protect much of the valuable and rich cooperation which takes place between education on a North-South and an East West basis. My officials have engaged with colleagues in the Department for Education in the UK on a set of principles which are designed to maintain and build on this cooperation. I am working closely with my Cabinet colleague, An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to conclude this process. It is important to note that, notwithstanding the type of Brexit, the CTA will be in place.
Naturally, I do not wish for a Disorderly Brexit, but prudently, I am preparing for this. As part of my Department’s contribution to the Government Contingency Action Plan, an amendment to the Student Support Act 2011 has now been included as one of the parts of the proposed “Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill. This will facilitate the continued payment of SUSI grants to Irish students attending UK and Northern Irish higher education institutions and to UK and Northern Irish students studying in Irish higher education institutions.
As well as that amendment, I also recently announced that EU fees would continue to apply to UK students and Northern Irish for the 2019/ 2020 academic year. This brings certainty to UK and Northern Irish students who can be assured that the EU fees will apply for the duration of their studies in Ireland. However, equally important, both of these actions will ensure that Irish school leavers seeking to pursue their higher education in the UK and Northern Ireland will have certainty as they are making their CAO/ UCAS choices at this time.
My Department will continue to monitor all Brexit developments very carefully and I can assure all stakeholders in the education that the contingency planning is being constantly refined to substantially reduce risks arising from Brexit.