In Dublin teachers at the English language school Grafton College have occupied the building.

Ireland aims to take advantage of being the EU’s only English-speaking country in a plan to boost international student numbers by more than 37,000 and generate an extra €520m a year.

Revised Government plans to protect foreign students and halt the closure of rogue English-language school operators have been welcomed by student and private college groups.

THE first group of second-level Chinese students to study English in Ireland will arrive in Cork later this year.