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

That is one of the key problems in this area. Dr. Pádraig Walsh, the chief executive of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, has come out very strongly to say that many of these schools operating within the State are doing so without meeting the standards under the Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services, the ACELS process. He has indicated that schools recruiting students from outside the European Economic Area, EEA, which were due to introduce these in January will introduce it shortly. The Minister touched on that in her contribution. It is clear from the contribution of Dr. Walsh and everybody else, including at the education committee and this Topical Issue matter, that those regulations must be put in place as quickly as possible. Will the Minister outline what avenues are open to students who are unable, due to financial constraints, to move courses even at a discounted rate? What recourse is open to them? Will the Minister provide us with an update on creating an insurance scheme for students when this happens?

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