Written answers

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Department of Education and Skills

English Language Training Organisations

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role her Department is playing in addressing the problems in the regulation of English language schools; the communications she has had with the Department of Justice and Equality on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45118/14]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 2nd September last, I announced robust regulatory reforms to the International education sector together with the Minister for Justice and Equality. The purpose of these reforms is to protect the educational and consumer interests of genuine international students, to tackle abuse of the labour market and the immigration regime and to safeguard the strong international reputation of high-quality Irish education providers.

These reforms have three main pillars. The first pillar is a new list of eligible programmes, the second pillar is an enhanced inspection and compliance regime and the third pillar relates to changes to the operation of the work concession.

It is expected that these reforms will significantly enhance the overall quality of Ireland's international education offering, reduce the risk to our reputation from the activities of lower quality operators and enhance the net benefits of internationalisation to the labour market and the wider economy. Officials from our two Departments are co-operating closely on the implementation of these reforms.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.