Ireland seeks evidence over alleged unpaid refunds for Mongolian students
Ireland's Department of Justice has asked three Mongolian recruitment agencies to provide evidence backing claims that six English-language schools in Ireland owe refunds to more than 250 students.
The department said in an email last Friday that it wanted copies of correspondence or other information that could substantiate the allegations.
The agencies had complained that students were owed sums of up to €3,100 each after paying course fees before visa applications.
Under Irish rules, non-EEA students who are refused a study visa should have their fees returned within 20 working days.
The agencies say the students have been waiting since the start of this year, and that the delays are causing financial hardship for families in Mongolia.
The complaint also says the issue is affecting confidence in Ireland's international education sector.
One agency manager has appealed for the Irish authorities to help the students recover their money.
The Department of Justice's immigration unit replied that the email referred to a number of education providers allegedly delaying refunds and engaging in serious misconduct, and asked for documents or correspondence to support the claims.
A solicitor acting for one of the schools named in the complaint warned against making the submission, according to the agencies.
