Seanad debates

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill, 2011: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Mary MoranMary Moran (Labour)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Quinn, back to the House and I wish him well in the new term. I also welcome the Bill and am delighted to hear that it is learner focused. The Minister must be commended on his achievements to date in his role. The learner should always be the focus.

I welcome the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, NQAI, HETAC, FETAC and the Irish Universities Quality Board, IUQB, into a single agency known as the qualifications and quality assurance authority of Ireland. When I first read the Bill, I hoped the name would be changed. I am delighted to hear the Minister say he has that power. It is a mouthful.

The bodies' amalgamation is a key part of the Government's overall public sector reform agenda and the authority's establishment will result in cost savings. Considerable savings have already been made by the NQAI, HETAC and FETAC through the implementation of the moratorium and expenditure reduction across their range of activities. The bodies' 2011 Exchequer allocation for current expenditure of almost €9 million is 30% lower than their 2008 outturn. Savings in the order of €1 million will also be achieved through rationalised corporate structures and supports through the integration of services.

The authority's establishment will prioritise learners' needs and deliver a quality, joined-up and more effective service to providers. The amalgamation will also lead to a more comprehensive approach in further and higher education and training. In line with other EU member states, Ireland has adopted a lifelong learning approach to education and training. It is vital to have a seamless transfer and progression for all learners with accreditation through the National Framework of Qualifications, NFQ. It is impossible for learners to reach their full potential if they do not experience quality at all levels in our institutions. This quality underpins the value of our qualifications, supports the economy's skill requirements and protects the value of our investment in public institutions. It is critical that our institutions take ownership of the quality agenda and ensure that it informs areas such as governance, organisation, programme design and delivery, assessment and research.

Quality must continue to be a core part of the institutions' mission and culture. However, it is also important that there be an external dimension to quality assurance. This will ensure that the institutions are reviewed and monitored so that best practice can be shared. I welcome the fact that a seven-person board will oversee this process.

The vocational education and training and higher education sectors have built up considerable practice and expertise in quality assurance. The processes put in place by the NQAI, HETAC and FETAC are consistent with the three-tier process adopted in the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European higher education area and the European quality assurance standards for vocational training and education.

It is vital that we maintain the NFQ and further deepen its implementation. We must also review the policies and criteria on which the NFQ is based. It is important that the authority be able to advise the Department of Education and Skills on lifelong learning.

I agree with Senator Zappone's remarks on the transition of adult learners to third level education. After more years than I care to remember, I returned to third level to do a masters. I completed my BA 20 years prior. Going to university in the 2000s was different from how it was in the 1980s. I welcome that adult learning is being taken into consideration. I commend the Bill to the House.

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