Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will briefly address the issues of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, accreditation and progression, which the Chairman raised and to which I have referred previously. As a result of the new legislation underpinning Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the new body has a role to play in regularly addressing and examining the access, transfer and progression model in place across the system. This system is very well developed in further education. When one begins the process of engagement with further education one can see a very clear line of progression if one wishes to continue to level 10 or 11. However, this line is not as visible or easily accessed in third level. QQI will have a role to play in ensuring third level education becomes as easily accessible as further education.

The third level sector is considering the possibility of modularising complex course provision into small, easily consumed modules and credit systems. This move will make progression easier in future. The Minister is correct, however, that there is a certain degree of academic snobbery towards people entering third level education through what could be described as unconventional routes. They need to be supported in that process.