Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria that must be met in order to establish a specific type of education facility business (details supplied) in County Cork. [13523/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) operates under the aegis of my Department to control quality standards in English Language Schools, including English language summer schools, through an inspection/recognition scheme. ACELS administers the scheme which leads to school recognition by my Department. Recognition of schools arises from their satisfying certain minimum standards in relation to premises, learning and teaching provision and facilities, and the regulations governing this are set out on the ACELS website, www.acels.ie. The regulations also set out the requirements for student accommodation, including host family accommodation and residential accommodation. Accommodation is subject to inspection by ACELS at any reasonable time. The regulations are reviewed and amended by ACELS as necessary. It should be noted all Chinese nationals wishing to enter Ireland must be in possession of a valid Irish visa. Chinese nationals may apply for a visa through the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing or the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai. Contact details for these offices can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, www.dfa.ie.