50,000 Irish students could study or train abroad under the EU funded Erasmus+ programme by 2020 – Hayes

Fine Gael MEP for Dublin, Brian Hayes, today (Friday) urged Irish students to give serious consideration to participating in the EU-funded Erasmus+ programme which enables students to study or train abroad. MEP Hayes estimates that up to 50,000 Irish students could have the opportunity to participate in the programme by 2020.

“The Erasmus+ programme is a €14.7 billion fund which was launched by the EU last January to provide grants to third level students who want to study, train, gain work experience or volunteer abroad. The aim of the programme is to boost skills, employability and support the modernisation of education and training.

“More than 4 million people across the EU will benefit from the programme and I firmly believe that up to 50,000 Irish students could be part of this. In addition, students planning a full Master’s degree abroad, for which national grants or loans are seldom available, will benefit from a new loan guarantee scheme run by the European Investment Fund. Erasmus+ will also provide funding for education and training staff, youth workers and for partnerships between universities, colleges, schools, enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations.

“Over 18,000 Irish students took part in the last programme from 2007-2013 but there is no reason why we cannot increase our participation. I strongly encourage those that are interested to contact the Higher Education Authority which is responsible for the Erasmus+ programme.”