The third-level college in Dun Laoghaire is investigating complaints from students about its radio broadcasting course.
The students' union at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (DLIADT) has asked the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, to halt the course because of the complaints.
The college has been in contact with the Department of Education, and its director, Mr Jim Devine, said an investigation was "ongoing". He said, however, he stood over the course and it would go ahead this year.
The union has sent copies of letters from outgoing students of the course to Dr Woods. Several local TDs are also involved in the issue.
In the letters, the students say doing the course had been a waste of time because they had not received enough lecturing and had to work in cramped conditions.
A letter to Dr Woods from Mr Cathal Brennan, president of the students' union at the college, states: "DLIADT is a publicly funded State institute. It must be a serious concern to the Department, to the Government and to the taxpayers that so much public money is being invested in these courses when graduating students write letters like these."
The letters - obtained by The Irish Times - outline a range of criticisms of the two-year certificate course.
Many of the students complained about the lack of suitable space at the college.
One letter said students were treated like "nomads" and were not given a permanent base in which to study for most of the year. Eventually, the letter claims, students were allowed to study in a prefab.
The director of DLIADT, Mr Devine, said the complaints were being "fully investigated". He said that once the investigation concluded, all students who made complaints would be written to.
He said the course, in terms of "staffing, resources and otherwise", was adequate and it was important to emphasise that the complaints were from outgoing students.
"Overall, the course enjoys a strong reputation in the industry," he said.