Irish Seal Deal on Erasmus +

Irish Presidency says over four million people will benefit from EU grants for education and training opportunities abroad between 2014 and 2020 - almost doubling the existing numbers. The programme, agreed upon by negotiators from the European Parliament and Council, brings together all existing EU and international schemes for education, training and youth and, for the first time, includes sports initiatives.

Speaking after the agreement, Irish Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, said this “Will improve the employability of young people and open up new opportunities for them.” “We need to ensure that our young people are equipped to meet the future demands of the labour market,” he said, noting estimates that nearly 35 per cent of all jobs will be classified as high-skill by 2020.

The Package

Erasmus+ supports international study, training, teaching and volunteering opportunities. Of the total financial envelope, 77.5 per cent will be allocated to the “education and training” sector, and an additional 3.5 per cent will go to the Loan Guarantee Facility, which will allow students to take out a loan of € 12,000 for one or € 18,000 for two years, in order to do a Masters’ degree abroad. The EU will provide a partial guarantee to the financial institutions offering the loans.

“Knowledge Alliances” at university level and “Sector Skills Alliances” in vocational institutions will foster the exchange of good practice through cross-cultural and cross-institutional education and training.

Private sector engagement will be encouraged to foster innovation and ensure that practical learning and education is brought to the fore.

Borrowing for Better or Brain-Drain

Doris Pack, MEP and Parliament's lead negotiator said, "Students who unfortunately missed out on Erasmus scholarships will have the possibility to get loans under favourable terms to study for a one or two-year Master's degree in another EU country."

Presidency officials, however, speaking on background to journalists before the agreement, said the Council was divided on this measure. “Many European countries already have support mechanisms for students to study abroad”, they said “and others fear the loan facility will not benefit disadvantaged students”.

The European Students Union (ESU) has been critical of the measure, saying it “Acts as a guarantee to the banks, so they would not lose their profits, but not as a guarantee for students, so that they will get a well-paid job to repay their debt after getting a degree.” A resolution passed by forty seven national unions of students at an ESU meeting says, “We are appalled, that the proposal ignores the potential impact such a scheme can bring, such as raising the level of debt among young people or instigating a brain drain from less developed regions.”

Next Steps

The Parliament’s Culture and Education committee will need to give its formal approval to the outcome of the negotiations and the final text will need to go to the full Parliament in autumn.