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Third level students from Northern Ireland universities will continue to be able to study in Europe under the Erasmus + program after the UK leaves the EU because the Irish Government will fund them.
The estimated cost will be about 2.1 million euros per year.
Erasmus allows third level students to study part or all of their degree in another EU member state or carry out internships abroad, with their fees and costs paid.
Exchanges usually take place during the second or third year of a course and can last up to 12 months.
Last year, 649 students and staff from Northern Ireland participated in the program.
The funds will be available to all full-time students attending tertiary institutions and will not be limited to those with an Irish passport, so British passport holders will also qualify.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Christmas Eve that the UK had rejected an offer to remain part of the EU program and will instead develop its own alternative policy.
In April last year, the Irish government decided that, in anticipation of a possible no-deal Brexit outcome, arrangements should be made to allow students from relevant institutions in Northern Ireland continued access to the program.
Concern had been expressed that students from less affluent backgrounds would be the most affected, as they would not be able to finance their travel and expenses without the program.
The initiative was approved when the Minister of Continuing and Higher Education, Simon Harris, presented a detailed document to the Cabinet several weeks ago.
It means that after Brexit, third-level students in Northern Ireland will have access to a program that will no longer be available to their counterparts in England, Scotland or Wales.
“The Government of Ireland made a very solemn commitment to Northern Ireland that even after Brexit we would ensure that there were still ways to cooperate and collaborate in relation to higher education,” Minister Harris told RTÉ News today.
“I have applied for and obtained government approval now to extend Erasmus + benefits to students in Northern Ireland even after Brexit. I think it is a very practical example of our desire to continue working with Northern Ireland after Brexit.
“Almost every day I talk about the importance of collaborating from north to south and the importance of working together with higher education institutions in the North.
“I think it would have been a real missed opportunity if Brexit had happened and we didn’t have this ability to collaborate across the European Union, it’s really important that students from Northern Ireland can continue to access Erasmus +.”
Northern Ireland students will need to temporarily register with Irish higher education institutions to participate in the program.
The minister said his officials will work with third-tier institutions north of the border in the coming weeks to finalize the arrangements.
“It is an ongoing commitment that as long as students in Northern Ireland want to take advantage of this option, we will implement it,” added Harris.
“The cost is relatively low. It is a cost of around € 2 million per year based on the current number of students in Northern Ireland accessing Erasmus.
“But it is not a cost, it is an investment. It is an investment in the relations between the institutions of the north and the south. It is an investment in our next generation, and I think it is a really practical and sensible way to continue cooperating after Brexit. “.
Since it began in 1987, more than 9 million people across Europe have used the Erasmus program to study or train.
The Irish Government played a key role in its creation, and the late Peter Sutherland played an important role in establishing the program during his time as European Commissioner.
The Government has also developed plans to cover the cost of emergency medical treatment for citizens of Northern Ireland traveling to the EU.
After Brexit on December 31, the UK will no longer be able to access the EU European Health Card service which provides access to emergency medical care in all EU member states.
The Irish Government has said that it will put in place special measures for the citizens of Northern Ireland.
It will advise them to retain receipts for emergency care costs arising in the EU member states and to establish a reimbursement plan, operated by the HSE.
Like access to the Erasmus program, it will not be limited to people with an Irish passport.
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said last year that the annual cost could be around 4 million euros.
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