Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department does not regulate provision in private colleges, except in so far as a limited range of functions are concerned. These include: recognition of third level courses approved by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council for purposes of the student support schemes; approval of courses which comply with a code of standards for purposes of the third level tax relief scheme; inclusion in a register of approved programmes for purpose of access to employment by students who are citizens from outside the EU or EEA and Switzerland — this will apply from 18 April 2005; and approval of quality assurance, validation of programmes and making of awards by the Further and Higher Education and Training Awards Councils.

The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999 provides that the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council may approve the quality assurance arrangements of institutions in the private sector, validate programmes and make or recognise awards, in compliance with quality criteria. Under section 43 of the Act, the awards councils may not carry out this function unless they are satisfied, in the case of providers offering programmes of at least three month's duration on a commercial or profit making basis, that there are adequate arrangements for protection of learners in place, in the event of that provider ceasing operations. Such protection for learners may be secured under the Act either by having an agreement in place with at least two other providers to enable learners to transfer to continue their programmes should the provider cease operation, or a provision for a refund of fees. It is not obligatory however, for providers of education and training in the private sector to seek national recognition for their awards.