Publication
English language education (ELE): COVID-19 update
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
On 21 January 2022, the Government announced the lifting of a number of restrictions previously in place to curb the rate of infection and transmission of COVID-19. The lifting of specific restrictions has been made possible largely to the success of the national vaccination programme given the critical importance of vaccinations in offering protection against infection and transmission of the virus. On that basis, further increases in the levels of activity in the English language education (ELE) sector are now possible.
Aligned with the announcement of 21 January, ELE providers can now take the necessary steps towards the safe resumption of wider activities on a phased basis in consultation with their staff and students.
While most restrictions have now been lifted, providers should ensure continued compliance with public health guidelines and advice alongside all current travel restrictions as relevant. It's the responsibility of ELE providers to maintain their duty of care for the health and wellbeing of their staff, students and communities, as their levels of activity increase. It's key that providers continue their efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in line with public health advice, and that they do not reopen or expand their current levels of activity unless ready to do so safely.
It's essential that all ELE providers:
The whole sector should continue to coordinate its efforts to collectively support its members, to manage and ensure a safe and successful return to full opening.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has worked with the Department of Justice to review the conditions applied to the student immigration system over the period of the pandemic. This includes the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The Department of Justice sent updated guidance on student immigration and ILEP requirements to ELE stakeholders on 24 February 2022. This guidance will remain in place until 31 May 2022 and will be kept under review.
Before recruiting new international non-EU/EEA students, if they have not already done so, ELE providers must notify ILEP of their reopening plans. They must also confirm that they have the capacity and capability to:
These measures are to facilitate implementing the government’s plan, and resuming recruitment of new international non-EU/EEA ELE students.
Find more information on COVID-19 , and social welfare and business supports.
For more information on immigration, please see the Immigration Service website .
The HSE also provides COVID-19 mental health supports and services .
Make a health and safety complaint about an ELE provider.