Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
245. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to safeguard ongoing educational programmes and educational co-operation with other EU states regarding students on exchange programmes in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6506/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudent exchange programmes are part of the Erasmus + programme, which is one of the key instruments to promote learner mobility. As such, the overall response to the impact of Brexit on the programme is the responsibility of the EU. The European Commission last week published a draft Regulation to ensure that students who are actually on mobility in the UK if a No Deal Brexit happens will be enabled to complete their mobility as planned. The Council and the Parliament will now have to approve this proposal in time for the end of March, if it is needed.
Clearly, once the UK exits from the EU, the loss of partnerships with UK education and training providers will impact on Ireland. In order to mitigate this loss, my Department has been encouraging education and training providers, through the Higher Education Authority and Leargas who are designated National Agencies in Ireland, to build further partnerships and opportunities in the remaining EU States.
