Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister for Education and Skills is well aware of the position on English language schools which is an ongoing issue. In May last year I remember asking her predecessor, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, to appear before the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection to discuss it. To date, 14 English language schools in Dublin alone have closed their doors, placing a huge financial burden on the students involved. The most recent case involves the International Education Academy and it is estimated that the students will lose in the region of €2,000 each. They include 100 prospective students who have registered and paid their fees but who will not be able to start their courses as the college is set to close.

The Minister has proposed a three pillar solution. A task force was established and one of its recommendations was that an accommodatin scheme be put in place to enable students to transfer to other colleges, including private colleges, to complete their courses at a discounted rate. This shows a lack of understanding by the Department in dealing with such students, many of whom are living in poverty and do not have the money to switch courses, even at a discounted rate. Some students have given evidence to the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. The matter needs to be resolved and I will propose some solutions in my supplementary contribution.

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