English language education (ELE): COVID-19 update

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:

• review and keep all sectoral reopening protocols, outbreak management procedures and the associated adaptation framework up-to-date and in line with evolving public health advice and the national Work Safely Protocols (currently the Transitional Protocol)
• continue to review on-site operations in line with the progression of disease control and mitigation measures through appropriate risk assessment and engagement
• consult with staff and students on their reopening plans. Clear communications will be key to alleviating the concerns of staff and students that may arise as the sector adapts to the changing environment
• ensure ongoing and continuing emphasis on the promotion and use of individual responsibility and personal protective measures including hand washing, hand sanitizing, respiratory etiquette and use of masks in appropriate circumstances based on individual and sectoral risk assessments
• ensure that all relevant protective measures are in place and stay in line with public health advice
• ensure that enough resources and capacity are in place to meet the needs of existing, new and potential students
• create strong procedures for the safe arrival of new ELE students into the state
• make sure relevant supports and information are in place to assist students to comply with travel restrictions and advice on arrival
• encourage vaccination among existing, new and potential students as much as possible
• make sure all staff and students are aware of nearby PCR testing locations of facilities
• encourage all staff and students to get tested if displaying any symptoms of COVID-19
• encourage all staff and students not to attend in person if displaying symptoms
• encourage all staff and students to self-isolate if they receive a positive test
• make every effort to support and comply with the needs of public health officials in the event of an onsite COVID-19 outbreak

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:

• safely reopen
• safely bring students into the state in line with relevant travel restrictions and advice
• safely provide for their full group of students
• fully comply with any and all relevant public health guidelines

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.