Erin McGuire

Almost 100,000 foreign students contributed €330 million to the economy last year, according to the association that represents English language schools in Ireland.

Marketing English in Ireland (MEI), which represents 52 language schools and colleges nationwide, released the information ahead of its annual general meeting this week.

Of the schools’ 97,610 students, 80 per cent came from EU or European Economic Area countries, 12 per cent came from non-EU countries that did not require a visa, and the remaining 8 per cent came from countries requiring a visa.

There were students from 80 countries, with the highest proportion from Italy and Spain.

There was one student each from Cuba, Israel, Moldova, Uruguay and Lebanon,

MEI has been working with the Departments of Justice and Education over the last year and a half in proposing reforms for the English language sector in Ireland and was part of the Task Force on Students Affected by Private College Closures.

Therese Dillon, Chairperson of Marketing English in Ireland said in advance of the association's AGM this week: "MEI was extremely pleased with the reforms announced jointly by the Minister for Justice France Fitzgerald and the Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan which are aimed at removing what have been describe as 'rogue operators' from the sector.

“Ireland has a very strong international reputation for high-quality education providers such as MEI member schools and colleges, and we want to see this reputation enhanced by getting rid of those who damage it by exploiting Irish immigration, employment and taxation regulations.”

The reforms, announced by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, will come into effect in October 2015. They include a mandatory learner protection scheme for all language school providers.