Schools Fight Visa Refund Crisis | Ireland News

Two Irish language schools, Erin College and Limerick Language Centre, face a financial crisis after being banned from a government visa program due to a surge in student visa refusals — leaving hundreds of paying students stranded and demanding refunds. With potential refund liabilities exceeding €950,000 for Erin alone, the schools argue the sudden spike was unforeseen and blame bureaucratic shifts. Now locked in legal battle, they seek court orders to halt the ban while appealing, but government lawyers push for strict financial accountability — especially after complaints against Limerick. A judge has granted a temporary reprieve for both institutions, ordering independent audits and creating a separate, frozen bank account for Erin to hold €74,000 in available refunds. Both sides are racing toward a September hearing, caught in a high-stakes tug-of-war between student rights and institutional survival. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ea0931cfb6d2c109