Govt launches plan to increase international student intake

The Government has announced plans to increase the numbers of international students in higher education in Ireland by 50% in the next five years.

Announcing the move, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen said it will be worth €1.2bn a year to the economy by 2015.

Part of the plan will be to assist non-European Economic Area graduates progress within the immigration system to utilise their skills for the benefit of the economy.

Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan is denying it will mean Irish students will lose out.