International students and teachers have held a protest in Limerick over the apparent closure of an English language school in the city.
The students who are from Brazil, Algeria and Mongolia, say they have not attended classes at Student Campus Limerick in three weeks.
Some teachers at the school say they have not been paid since April.
Around 250 students are enrolled at the school and 300 have already paid fees to attend the school, but have yet to arrive in Ireland.
The Department of Further and Higher Education has called on the owners of Student Campus to engage with its students and staff “to provide clarity on the current situation”.
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) is also calling for more information for affected students.
“These are international students, and they don’t have the same support networks that students here might have,” said ICOS Executive Director Orla Lehane.
“We would just love more information and clearer information for affected students.”
The students currently in Limerick are concerned about their immigration status as they need to be transferred to another English language school to remain eligible to live in Ireland, if Student Campus is closed permanently.
Gabriella, a student from Brazil, arrived to Ireland on Sunday to start English classes next week only to find the doors of the school closed.
She said she did not receive any notice from the school about the current situation before her arrival.
“I’m very worried,” she said. “I really want to study English. I really want to improve my English and I really want to stay legally, and work legally. So I don’t know what I can do now.”
Around 250 students are enrolled at the school
Simon Deevy, a teacher at Student Campus, said: “Three weeks ago, we had a great team with a great buzz in a lovely place to work, and it all fell apart in the space of a couple of days.”
He said the immigration status of students is affected by this, “because every week we have to record test data and attendance data, and it feeds into their immigration, so that’s all a mess for them now”.
The students received correspondence from the director in early June, informing them that classes would be suspended for two days for “emergency maintenance works” at the premises on Patrick Street.
A further update informed students that the language school has been conducting a review of “operational matters”.
“During this period, management has been working closely with legal, financial and professional advisers to assess the school’s current position and determine the most appropriate way forward,” it said.
The email acknowledged the uncertainty and concern among students “particularly those who have travelled from overseas to study with us” and thanked students for their patience at this “difficult time”.
The directors of Student Campus Limerick have been contacted for comment but have not replied to phone calls or emails.
To recruit students from outside the EEA, education providers must have their courses included on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), administered by the Department of Justice with the Department of Further and Higher Education.
Protesters outside the school in Limerick city
The Department said Student Campus was an ILEP-listed provider and was therefore required to have learner protection arrangements in place.
According to a statement from the Department of Further and Higher Education, “Providers are required to have these arrangements in place to protect learners in the event that they fail, close or are unable to deliver an ILEP-listed programme.
“As advertised on its website, Student Campus has such arrangements in place with Academy Plus Insurance,” it said.
The Irish Council for International Students held an online meeting this week which was attended by 150 people including students and staff at Student Campus Limerick.
Ms Lehane said concerns were raised about learner protection insurance at the meeting.
“We’d love to ensure that students can get insight on their classes, school fees and their immigration status,” she said.