Limerick language school closure exposes failures in oversight
Limerick language school closure exposes failures in oversight - The Labour Party
Labour Further and Higher Education spokesperson Senator Laura Harmon has called on the Minister for Further and Higher Education to urgently intervene following reports that more than 200 international students at a Limerick language school have been left uncertain about whether they can complete their English language courses or transfer to another provider.
Senator Harmon said:
“It is completely unacceptable that more than 200 international students have been left in the dark about their future through no fault of their own. These students came to Ireland in good faith, invested significant sums of money in their education and many now face uncertainty over whether they can complete the courses they paid for or transfer to another school in order to remain in the country. That leaves potentially hundreds of people exposed to financial loss as well as immigration uncertainty.
“It is equally concerning to hear reports that staff have not been paid since April. These teachers are dedicated professionals who care deeply about their students and who have continued to do their jobs despite working on insecure contracts. They should not be left carrying the burden of failures by those responsible for running these schools.
“There are serious concerns for students whose visa applications have been refused after applying to attend a language school. These students must be treated fairly by the schools involved. The fees they pay are substantial and cannot simply be written off. They deserve transparency, fair treatment and clear protections. These issues raise fundamental questions about how English language schools are regulated and held accountable. I will be raising these matters directly with the Minister.
“We need stronger oversight of the English language education sector, better protections for students and workers, and robust contingency plans so that learners can continue their education without risking their immigration status or losing thousands of euro. International students choose Ireland because of the quality of our education system. Government needs to take action on this now.”