Request for details of refunds sought by foreign students

The Department of Justice has written to three agencies in Mongolia who recruit students for English language schools in Ireland, asking them to provide further information in relation to their claim that more than 250 young people in Mongolia are owed money by six schools here.

In an email sent last Friday the department requested copies of correspondence or information "that can substantiate the allegations".

On Friday, RTÉ News reported that the three agencies had complained to the Department of Justice about six businesses operating here who, they said, had failed to return sums of up to €3,100 owed to more than 250 students in Mongolia.

A manager with one of the agencies appealed to the Irish authorities to help the students recoup their money.

Non-EEA (European Economic Area) citizens who wish to study English in Ireland must pay course fees to an approved language school before applying for a study visa.

If their visa application is rejected, regulations stipulate that their money must be returned to them within 20 working days.

In their complaint, the agencies called on the department to take immediate steps to resolve a situation which they said was causing significant financial hardship to the students and their families and negatively impacting the reputation and credibility of Ireland's international education sector.

"Your email makes reference to a number of Education Providers unreasonably delaying refunds and engaging in serious misconduct," the response from the Department of Justice's immigration department to the agencies said.

It went on to request "information or copies of correspondence with these Providers that can substantiate these allegations".

The students in Mongolia have been waiting since the start of this year for their refunds.

Last month, a solicitor acting for one of the schools named by the agencies in their complaint to the department warned against making such a complaint.

"Our client has noted the threat to its good name and reputation by the proposed submission of a position paper to the regulatory authority.

"We would caution against any such ill-advised move", the email to one of the agencies stated.

RTÉ News understands the Mongolian agencies are compiling documents and information to send to the Department of Justice.

The six schools that they have complained about are approved by the Department of Justice to operate within its study visa immigration programme.