Ireland's Language Schools on Brink as Visa Refusal Crisis Hits Hard

Two Irish language schools, Erin College and Limerick Language Centre, are facing the threat of closure due to their alleged mishandling of refunds for foreign students who were unable to obtain study visas. The High Court has ordered the colleges to maintain an 'untouchable bank account' to protect the refunds, which amount to €74,000 in Erin College's case.

The schools are seeking a judicial review of the Department of Education's decision to drop them from the English Language Interim Programme (ELIP), which allows them to sell English courses to foreign students. The programme was dropped due to concerns over the handling of refunds for students who were unable to obtain visas, with a significant increase in visa refusals causing 'significant cash flow issues' for Erin College.

The colleges are also seeking an interim injunction against the Department of Education and the Justice Minister, as well as a stay on the decision keeping them from participating in ELIP. The court has granted an interim injunction staying the departmental decisions relating to both colleges, but will require further investigations into the refund fees of both companies.