Dáil Éireann - Volume 600 - 14 April, 2005

Written Answers. - Languages Programme.

Ms Shortall Ms Shortall

  143. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the nature of his Department’s involvement in the case of an academy (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the closure of the premises has resulted in several dozen foreign students being left without a service, having paid €1,500 in fees. [11603/05]

Ms Hanafin Ms Hanafin

  Ms Hanafin: The Advisory Council for English Language Schools, ACELS, operates under the aegis of my Department to control quality standards in English language schools through an inspection-recognition scheme. ACELS administers the scheme which leads to school recognition by my Department. Recognition of schools arises from their satisfying certain minimum standards in relation to premises, learning and teaching provision and facilities. Recognition does not relate to the financial status or viability of the private institutions involved.

The academy referred to by the Deputy applied to ACELS for recognition in September 2003. At that time, ACELS regulations stipulated that two inspections be carried out, ten months apart, before recognition could be considered. The first inspection was carried out in October 2003 and a written report was sent to the school outlining a number of matters that required attention. No application was submitted for a second inspection. The school had not, therefore, secured recognition.

Dáil Éireann 600 Written Answers. Languages Programme.

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