Policy & Advocacy

ICOS promotes good policy and practice in international education and makes submissions and representations to Government on issues which concern the lives and welfare of international students in Ireland.

Good policy and practice:

• Supporting International Students in Crisis: All educational institutions hosting international students from countries affected by crises are urged to respond early and with sensitivity to students who may be in difficulty due to situations outside their control. (March 2011)
• Provision of Education to International Students - ICOS was centrally involved in the drawing up of a Code of Practice and Guidelines on the provision of education to International Students. (Sep 2009)

Submissions to Government include:

• Detailed response to 'Ireland's International Education Strategy 2010-15' and 'New immigration regime for full-time non-EEA students' (Dec 2010)
• Response to proposed new immigration regime for full-time non-EEA students (October 2009)
• Response to Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on outline proposal on internships/placements (January 2009)
• Response to Economic Migration Policy Unit, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) on Proposed Draft Scheme on the introduction of Employment Permits for non-EEA students (April 2008)
• Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights: Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 (March, 2008)
• Submission to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the issue of the proposed introduction of work permits for non-EEA students (December 2006).
• Response to the Government's Outline Proposals for an Immigration and Residence Bill (July 2005)
• Submission to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on White Paper on Overseas Development Aid (June 2005)
• Submission to the Minister for Education and Science: Promoting Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in International Education - some Observations and Suggestions (September 2003)