English language schools win accreditation challenge

Two English-language schools catering for non-EU students have successfully challenged new government accreditation requirements.

Academic Bridge Ltd and the National Employee Development Centre Ltd, both based in Dublin and employing a total of 17, claimed they could be put out of business under a system that was due to come into operation this month, as the regulations will limit their ability to recruit non-EU/European Economic Area students.

They claimed that last September, Frances Fitzgerald, the justice minister, announced changes to the accreditation system without the lawful power to do so.