Fine Gael unveils job creation plan
Fine Gael plans to generate 6,000 jobs by making the country a magnet for foreign students
Thursday March 18 2010
Fine Gael has unveiled its plans to generate 6,000 jobs by making the country a magnet for foreign students.
Fast-track visas in key markets, scholarships for Asian students and additional English language courses are among the party's proposals for doubling Ireland's share of the lucrative international education sector.
Education spokesman Brian Hayes said an extra 900 million euro could be pumped into the economy as a result of the five-year road map.
"In comparison to other English-speaking countries Ireland has not capitalised fully, with our market share estimated to be a disappointing 1% of the global international education market," Mr Hayes said.
"Increasing our market share would have huge benefits, not only in terms of revenue but also in relation to the creation of jobs."
There are currently 40,000 non-European students in Ireland, with around 15 local jobs created for every 100 pupils. The sector generates an estimated 900 million euro annually - 400 million euro from higher education and 500 million euro from the English language sector.
Fine Gael's International Horizons plan suggests the setting up of a special international education office and the automatic issuing of green cards to PhD graduates in the science, engineering and technology sectors.
The party also pledged to make the country a specialised centre of excellence for English language teacher training.
"The international education sector offers real benefits for the economy and for society," Fine Gael Immigration & Integration spokesman Denis Naughten said.
"A thriving international education sector will also inject resources into the third level sector at a time when the primary source of funding - the Irish State - is under severe fiscal pressure. It will improve the standard of education for Irish students and will stimulate other sectors such as the tourism industry."
