Language Schools
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-27
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Colm Brophy (FG), Dublin South-West

In relation to students coming to the country to study, whether in the university sector or English language sector, it is my view and that of the Government that we want to have a high-quality, professional system for education. We want to see the best academic institutions providing a top-quality service, whether in English language or other areas of education.
The purpose of coming to Ireland to engage in study should be that. It should not be for work or any other purpose. The majority of students who come here want to do that. There is an attraction - and it needs to be examined - in the availability of employment, which is 20 hours during term time and 40 hours outside term time, and we will keep it under constant review. However, the focus has to be that they are here to study. That has to be the primary driver of the visa being granted.
On the Deputy's specific question about whether schools were removed from the ILEP system, my understanding is that the majority of schools, when a problem is brought to their attention, rectify it. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the course from the ILEP system.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-27/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-27