Only 10 inspections of English language schools

Only 10 inspections have been carried out on English language schools despite promises of closer scrutiny following multiple closures and the disappearance of students’ money.

A new quality assurance scheme, the International Education Mark, another promise in the wake of the scandal, is also delayed; its introduction is now “anticipated” some time in 2018.

Reform of the industry, which attracts thousands of foreign students to private-run operations in Ireland every year, was pledged after a spate of closures in 2014 that left students without deposits and fees and in breach of their work-study visas.