Students hit by language school closures get new offers

Hundreds of foreign students left in limbo by English language school closures are to be offered alternative programmes at major discounts by other providers.

The initiative has emerged from discussions that followed the closure since April of five colleges in Dublin and Cork, which left students facing huge uncertainty, particularly those who came here on student visas from non-EU countries.

The deal, arranged by a task force set up by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, will see courses specially created by member colleges of Marketing English in Ireland, meaning affected students can complete programmes similar to those they were already taking.