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02/09/2014
Student Immigration Reforms Announced
New measures to clamp down on the abuse of student immigration have been announced by the Department of Justice.
Minister Jan O’Sullivan and Minister Frances Fitzgerald have announced reforms of the international education sector, following the closure of a number of private sector colleges this year.
The Task Force report said that there continues to be "abuse of student immigration by a number of low quality providers."
The new rules will take effect from 1 January 2015. Three pillars of reform have been announced:
• A more restrictive list of education programmes eligible for student immigration purposes. Only programmes accredited by Irish awarding bodies in the English language and higher education sectors will be permitted to recruit international students, with a few exceptions.
• A new inspection and compliance regime to monitor educational quality and immigration compliance.
• Changes to the operation of the work concession, which allows non-EEA students to work,
Minister O’Sullivan said: "Thousands of high-calibre students from around the world come to Ireland to study in our universities, institutes of technology, private colleges and English language schools. These students make a significant contribution to campuses and communities across the country. We cannot let our international reputation be damaged by low-quality provision or rogue operators. These reforms are crucial to ensuring that only those providers which can offer the highest standards can attract international students."
Minister Fitzgerald said: "I welcome the report of the taskforce and the accommodation that has been put in place. My own Department extended assurances to all international students affected by these private sector college closures that their immigration permissions would be protected until 1 September 2014. I believe that the solutions agreed and implemented by the Task Force build upon this pragmatic and compassionate approach and offer genuine international students an excellent opportunity to study at a discount in quality assured colleges with proper learner protection arrangements."
(IT/CD)
Minister Jan O’Sullivan and Minister Frances Fitzgerald have announced reforms of the international education sector, following the closure of a number of private sector colleges this year.
The Task Force report said that there continues to be "abuse of student immigration by a number of low quality providers."
The new rules will take effect from 1 January 2015. Three pillars of reform have been announced:
• A more restrictive list of education programmes eligible for student immigration purposes. Only programmes accredited by Irish awarding bodies in the English language and higher education sectors will be permitted to recruit international students, with a few exceptions.
• A new inspection and compliance regime to monitor educational quality and immigration compliance.
• Changes to the operation of the work concession, which allows non-EEA students to work,
Minister O’Sullivan said: "Thousands of high-calibre students from around the world come to Ireland to study in our universities, institutes of technology, private colleges and English language schools. These students make a significant contribution to campuses and communities across the country. We cannot let our international reputation be damaged by low-quality provision or rogue operators. These reforms are crucial to ensuring that only those providers which can offer the highest standards can attract international students."
Minister Fitzgerald said: "I welcome the report of the taskforce and the accommodation that has been put in place. My own Department extended assurances to all international students affected by these private sector college closures that their immigration permissions would be protected until 1 September 2014. I believe that the solutions agreed and implemented by the Task Force build upon this pragmatic and compassionate approach and offer genuine international students an excellent opportunity to study at a discount in quality assured colleges with proper learner protection arrangements."
(IT/CD)
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