AN AMBITIOUS plan to help Ireland gain a larger share of the multimillion euro market for international education was announced by two Ministers yesterday.
But Enterprise Ireland said last night only €300,000 would be available to promote the Education in Ireland brand. It also said €40,000-€50,000 had been spent on developing the new brand and logo, most of which was paid to a Dublin marketing firm.
The launch is the latest effort to boost Ireland’s underperformance in international education. Ireland attracts less than 1 per cent of foreign students and total annual revenue from foreign students is €400 million.
Efforts to promote Ireland have also been hampered by visa issues and a lack of co-ordination between Government departments and agencies.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn promised to “make sure the relevant departments and agencies are working together.”
Minster for Enterprise Richard Bruton said the new brand would “present a unique, high-quality educational experience to international students.”
