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Major Reform of Student Immigration and the International Education Sector Launched
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan taking questions on the Reform of Student Immigration and the International Education Sector
Move will clamp down on abuse of student immigration, support high quality education providers and protect international students.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald have announced major reforms of the international education sector in response to issues raised by the closure of a number of private sector colleges this year.
The two Ministers also published the final report of the Task Force established to help students affected by the college closures.
The Task Force report noted that, despite strengthened rules in place, there continues to be abuse of student immigration by a number of low quality providers.
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.
Detailed information for providers and students will be available on the websites of the Immigration and Naturalisation and Immigration Service (
www.inis.gov.ie
), the Department of Education and Skills (
www.education.ie
) and the Student Taskforce (
www.studenttaskforce.ie
).
The new rules will take effect from 1st January 2015 and are set out in the Policy Statement “Regulatory Reform of the International Education Sector and the Student Immigration Regime”.
Read the full press release
here
.
Download the Policy Statement “Regulatory Reform of the International Education Sector and the Student Immigration Regime”
here
.
Download the Report of the Task Force on students affected by private college closures
here
.