Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
297. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on her engagement with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on creating a separate process for non-EU and non-EEA PhD researchers to apply for the 1G visa upon submitting their thesis (details supplied). [27098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates the Third Level Graduate Programme which allows legally resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of 12 or 24 months. This residence permission is for the purposes of seeking graduate level employment and applying for a suitable employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The graduate permission is also available to PhD Researchers on completion of their studies and the awarding of a recognised qualification.
While my Department has responsibility for immigration related matters, the requirements of the international education sector and our higher education institutions are a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science. My officials engage, on an ongoing basis, with officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on a range of issues relating to international students, including matters relating to the Third Level Graduate Programme.
There are currently no plans to amend the existing arrangements for the graduate permission. However, my Department will continue to engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on all matters of mutual interest and consider any proposals that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science might have regarding the Third Level Graduate Programme.
