Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Section 8 provides QQI with statutory powers to evaluate a provider's corporate fitness. These provisions will enable QQI to examine the bona fidesof a provider and its capacity to engage, in the round, with quality assurance processes. The powers are to be extended by means of statutory instrument so as to provide for regulatory responsiveness to innovative modes of provision and forms of provider organisation.

To ensure this section is comprehensively applied and delivers on its intent, the proposed amendments will include as subject to the provisions of this section listed awarding bodies, associated providers and linked providers, as defined under the term "specified provider". This series of amendments includes a consequential change to the Title of the Bill at amendment No. 80, which ensures that specified providers are captured within the scope of the Bill. Amendment No. 29 will enable QQI to set criteria for "fit and proper" persons when assisting the corporate fitness of providers. In addition to this amendment, I want to inform the committee that I will be bringing a further amendment to this section on Report Stage. This amendment will also address "fit and proper" persons in order to enable QQI to set and apply criteria to the key staff and personnel of providers, such as their owners and directors.