I thank the Deputy. The programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a national migration and integration strategy detailing how the Government will meet the demands and opportunities facing Ireland’s society. My Department is currently working on that with other Departments with the aim of having it published in 2026. Looking at the international student sector will obviously form part of that work. For many years, Ireland has welcomed international students who travel here to pursue courses of study across a wide range of subject areas. This provides economic and other benefits to Ireland, as well as to the students themselves. It makes sense that our overall strategic approach to migration would take account of this aspect of our immigration arrangements. I can say that this area is already undergoing revised certification arrangements. Currently, for non-EEA students to be eligible for immigration permission here they must be completing a course listed on what is known as the interim list of eligible programmes, ILEP, which is issued by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The ILEP is being replaced by TrustEd which will be administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. TrustEd is now Ireland's new statutory quality mark and is part of a range of measures designed to protect international students and ensure high standards are met in the provision of education. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and other relevant Departments in framing policy in this area and will engage with education providers, both public and private, in developing this aspect of our national migration and integration strategy.
Sentiment score: 0.37
I thank the Deputy for his acknowledgement of the fact that international students do make a contribution. They contribute in so many ways to our country. The Government is looking at student visas in the context of our national migration and immigration strategy. For the purpose of clarity with regard to the issue of total registrations, there can be multiple registrations during a year, so the number of total registrations is not entirely indicative of the number of students but it is a reasonable guide. When looking at the broader framework, it is important that we look at students, namely the number of students coming here, the types of courses they are studying and the benefit people and academic institutions are getting from that and that we take an overall broader look which takes all aspects of this into account. There is no point in saying anything but that the students do make a great contribution in so many ways to Ireland and that is important to recognise.
Sentiment score: 0.36
It is important to examine the regulation in this area. There is quite a bit of regulation in this area. There is an allowance of 20 hours that a student can work during term time and that increases to 40 hours. It is very important that is monitored and correctly enforced. We have changed the requirements for students in terms of the income they would have to have to sustain themselves when they come into the country, so they are able to pursue their courses when they come. It is important that we have monitoring of the private providers in different areas to ensure there is compliance and that students are attending and that if they are not attending courses that it is notified. Students must remain within the conditions under which they have entered Ireland. That includes any work they are allowed legally to do in addition to their studies, and that is monitored.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I thank the Deputy. My Department is taking action across all aspects of international protection accommodation to provide value for money, strengthen governance and compliance, and renegotiate contracts with providers. This forms part of the overall reform of the international protection system that is already working to speed up processing of applications and move from commercial provision to State provision. These reforms will help to drive down costs and curtail the growth seen over recent years in the accommodation system. The Department has worked closely with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in carrying out an extensive review of costs and processes within the international protection accommodation system. A report on this matter was published last week as part of the C and AG’s annual report for 2024. All recommendations in the report have been accepted and implemented by the Department, with implementation of one recommendation being further developed into early 2026. The report looked at overall processes and sampled 20 IPAS contracts. It acknowledged the extensive challenges posed to the State in sourcing accommodation during the unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024. During that period, over 45,000 international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, there were 8,000 or 9,000 in a typical three-year period. Today’s standards of pre-contract assessments and negotiations could not be applied to accommodation that had to be sourced during the period from 2022 to 2024. While applications this year have decreased, they remain high compared to pre-2022 norms. However, they have given us sufficient space to put in place greater controls over IPAS and the accommodation portfolio. A range of updated systems and procedures have been put in place and are already having an impact. IPAS has improved its processes for appraisal, validation, contracting and payments. A new rate-card pricing structure is being applied to all new and renewing contracts, which has led to savings of over €52 million on 104 contracts. This reform within the accommodation system is on track for continued process improvement and costs savings as we move into 2026.
Sentiment score: 0.18
The Department has accepted the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and has put in place a set of updated processes and standards which will appraise offers and manage and oversee contracts. Extensive new checks and balances have been put in place to ensure high standards of oversight on invoicing. Queries and irregularities have been identified through a checklist process. These have been reviewed and recoupments made to the Department. Treatment of VAT is a matter between the relevant providers and Revenue. As discussed in the report, there is variance in how different aspects of IPAS may have applied that. In relation to food accommodation and other subheadings, within payments to one provider group issues relating to VAT charges arose and were reviewed. My officials understand that this provider has completed a self-correction exercise with the Revenue on the matter and that no funds are outstanding to the State. The Department continues to conduct ongoing process improvements in relation to management and oversight of invoices and all related tax matters.
Sentiment score: 0.13
The Department is always vigilant about taxpayers' money and it is important to note we have achieved €52 million in savings in terms of contracts this year. There is a new rate card in place delivering real savings. One of the most important things we are doing is moving to State-owned, which will bring a real saving in terms of taxpayers' money. When the migration pact comes in, we will be moving to a shorter timeframe in terms of processing people, which will also save money. We are determined to reduce the overall number coming in and that, again, will help save taxpayers' money.
Sentiment score: 0.39