Dr. Anna Murphy:

On academic integrity and dealing with contract cheating, we would welcome an opportunity to work with the committee to engage with some of the digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, WhatsApp and Instagram in identifying, advertising, and pulling down or taking down service providers who advertise or provide contract cheating services. We really need collaboration and working together to get some movement on that.

On the apprenticeships, QQI is undertaking an important review of the 37 consortia-led apprenticeships. This will show some learning and we can use that to inform the next stage and to improve and work more efficiently in designing and rolling out apprenticeships and, importantly, in making sure that they are sustainable over the period.

We are also working on improving Qualifax, which is an important information platform on options for students, and particularly now in the further education space, apprenticeships and higher education.

We continue to work with SOLAS and others on improving the pathways and on leveraging the qualification system that provides transparency, information and support to everybody who wants to progress into and onwards in higher education and further education.