9. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will introduce measures to reduce the number of stamp 2 visa permissions granted annually in view of the pressures on student accommodation and housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54041/25]

Sentiment score: 0.18

A number of weeks ago I raised with the Minister the Government's approach to stamp 2 residency permits in respect of student visas as they are known and whether or not there are any plans for the Government to examine these types of residency permits as part of the overall management of migration. In particular, given the pressures on housing and on student accommodation, is it the Government's intention to introduce measures to reduce the number of stamp 2 visas granted annually?

Sentiment score: 0.26

Of course international students are an important part of the dynamic within out third level sector. However, as with all areas there needs to be management of it and it seems to me there is none at the moment. The number of these stamp 2 residency permissions more than doubled between 2021 and 2024, with more than 60,000 of them granted. Then there are anomalies in the system. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute's, ESRI's, most recent report on migration and asylum, 45% of first residency permits issued in 2023 were for education. It is the most common reason for issuing permits to non-EEA nationals while employment accounts for only 27%. When we consider Ireland has 1.25% of the EU's population but allocates 7.15% of all permits for education purposes in the EU, we can be seen how there are anomalies there. The question is: does Government take cognisance of the student accommodation crisis when allocating these visas as to whether or not it will impact on that crisis?

Sentiment score: -0.00

Absolutely, that point is not in dispute. That is why these visa allocations should be based on educational and societal benefits. I fear that in many cases the international students are being used to make up for the funding shortfall in third level institutions. They are seen as a mechanism by which money can be made - money which the universities are starved of. Second, there is this new private sector, namely English language schools with very high proportions of students coming from countries outside of the EEA. Anecdotally at least, some of those visas are being used to allow people to work in sectors that would not otherwise be able to get people on employment permits. Has the Department carried out any analysis of that and is that part of what it plans to examine? We need to get the balance right here and we need to be cognisant, particularly of the student accommodation crisis, and the educational value we receive by having international students in our society.

Sentiment score: -0.07