Irish minister advises Portobello Institute PE students to seek legal advice

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has urged students affected by unregistered teaching qualifications at Portobello Institute to consider seeking legal advice, Radio Kerry and the Irish Examiner both reported. Social Democrats Education spokesperson Jen Cummins raised the issue in the Dáil on Thursday. Radio Kerry and the Irish Examiner both reported that Lawless expressed frustration in parliament over the situation facing students at the private college. [1][2]

The Irish Examiner reported that students spent thousands of Euros to earn a qualification to teach physical education but remain unable to register correctly. Radio Kerry reported that one student from Kerry paid 5,500 Euros for an additional subject course at Portobello Institute in the belief that it would permit him to teach physical education. That student had previously finished a Professional Master of Education in Business prior to signing up for the additional course. [1][2]

Portobello Institute is a private third level college delivering further and higher education, according to Wikipedia. The institution specializes in early years, sport, facilities management, travel and tourism, and the business of fashion. [3]

The Irish Examiner noted that it previously revealed that most applicants who took the course were affected by the registration issues. [2]