Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
924. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in light of closer links between the European Union and Canada, if he would consider the development of a student and teacher exchange programme between Ireland and Canada, involving Irish schools and youth groups; and if he would encourage such a development as part of the Erasmus programme. [68532/26]
View answerMy Department welcomes recent discussions between the EU and Canada regarding the potential for a future partnership through the Erasmus+ Programme.
I recognise the value of international exchange opportunities in fostering educational, cultural and research links between countries, including between Ireland and Canada.
Ireland has sought to promote closer EU-Canada relations during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
A number of programmes supported by my Department currently facilitate mobility, research collaboration and academic exchange between the two countries and while limited Erasmus+ mobility opportunities involving Canada exist in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, no equivalent Erasmus+ mechanism currently exists for School Education, Adult Education or Youth Exchanges with Canada.
Under the Erasmus+ programme, funding is allocated directly by the European Commission to the Higher Education Institutions, which then have discretion to administer these funds in line with the programme rules and their own internationalisation priorities. In practice, the majority of Erasmus+ funding supports mobility within Europe under the core programme while a smaller number of student and staff higher education mobilities outside the EU are covered by Key Action KA171.
While an international (“global mobility”) dimension does exist, it is comparatively limited, and institutions must prioritise how best to deploy these funds. As a result, not all destinations or exchanges will necessarily be supported for Erasmus+ funding in a given year.
I look forward however to the strengthening of the EU-Canada relationship, based on a long history of close cooperation and shared values.
