10/3/11 - Both Fine Gael and Labour had been supportive of developing Ireland’s international education sector so it comes as no surprise that the new programme of the “Government for National Recovery 2011-2016” essentially reaffirms the general direction of the current strategy albeit with more ambitious targets in terms of the numbers of international students it seeks to attract to the country.
There is very little detail in the section on international education in the agreed programme but it does promise to overhaul the student visa system and will allow postgraduate students to work in Ireland for one year after they complete their studies. This latter concession is already available (since 1 January 2011) to Level 8 graduates and those above Level 8 including post-graduates so hopefully it is not the new Government’s intention to restrict the current scheme.
The Fine Gael position on international education had already been elaborated in its “International Horizons” policy document released earlier in 2010 while Labour had made its position known in its election manifesto. Both parties favour scholarships as tools to promote the sector with Labour mentioning the establishment of a new BRIC scholarship programme to bring talented young people from the emerging economies to study in Ireland.
Overall lots of numbers and targets, perhaps not enough emphasis, especially from Labour up to now, on the need to protect students and maintain quality standards.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny has announced his new Cabinet and Labour’s Ruairi Quinn has been appointed Minister of Education and Skills while Alan Shatter of FG gets the Justice, Equality and Defence portfolio.