§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are currently following higher education courses in Great Britain; and what is the cost to public funds;
(2) how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland attend colleges of education in England and Wales.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIn the academic year 1980–81, 407 overseas students who were domiciled in the Republic of Ireland were enrolled on higher education courses in Great Britain. Of these, 101 were at institutions other than universities and polytechnics but the numbers at colleges of education are not available separately. The total cost to public funds is estimated to be in the region of £1 million.