Tourism benefit of Erasmus scheme

An extra €14m tourist income is spent each year by visitors to students here on an EU study programme.

The Erasmus+ scheme brings 7,200 students to study or work in Ireland annually, including over 2,000 who take part in internships. The figure has risen by 60% in the last seven years from 4,500 in 2007/08, with stays ranging from two months to a year.

However, a survey of incoming students for the Higher Education Authority HEA), which manages the Erasmus+ programme in Ireland, reveals economic benefits beyond the spend of the students themselves.