17 Meith 2014, 17:19
Committee to also consider proposals to reconfigure schools with Edmund Rice Trust
17 June 2014
The spate of closures of private colleges, which offered English language and other courses, is on the agenda of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection when it meets with representatives of the Irish Council for International Students.
Established in 1970, the Irish Council for International Students is an independent organisation which advocates for the rights of all international students in Ireland.
Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Committee says: “The closures of five private colleges in the past two months have impacted adversely on hundreds of students, with many losing substantial sums in tuition fee money. While it is understood that there is no immediate threat to the immigration status of the students concerned, many also find themselves in an uncertain situation with visas tied to their study.
\"This is a timely meeting, particularly following this afternoon's announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD of heavy discounts at alternative colleges for the students of English language courses impacted by the closures, as well as a new website giving details of the work of the task force on students affected by the closure of private colleges. We look forward to engaging with student representatives tomorrow on what other policy choices may be necessary to accommodate the genuine students affected by the recent closures and to restore confidence in the sector.”
Separately, the Committee will meet with representatives from the Edmund Rice Trust to consider proposals to open close and/or amalgamate schools in a number of locations across the country, including in Cork and Dublin.
Deputy Tuffy continues: “We look forward to hearing from representatives from the Edmund Rice Trust on the possible reconfiguration of schools. For instance, concern had been raised from the proposed closure of North Monastery Primary School in Cork city, with pupils moving to the nearby St Vincent’s Convent Primary School. School management and parents expressed concern about what they perceived as the more limited space and facilities in the new arrangements. Tomorrow’s meeting will afford our Committee the opportunity to explore the process being followed by the school patrons and boards of management, including the levels of consultation with the parents and local communities concerned.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow at 1pm Wednesday 18 June in Committee Room 3, LH 2000. The meeting can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
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Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Jim D'Arcy, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Hildegarde Naughten, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Averil Power