Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 890: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that there are sufficient FETAC-accredited programmes in business and enterprise development and that there are sufficient FETAC quality assured institutions offering such programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1709/08]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 892: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the application process for FETAC accreditation made by trainers who provide courses in business and enterprise development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1714/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 892 together.

FETAC does not accredit trainers as individuals, but does approve training institutions and awards. The process is two-fold: firstly a centre or institution must agree its overall quality assurance arrangements with FETAC in compliance with published criteria, and then the actual programme of education or training being offered, including how it is to be assessed, is submitted for validation by the Council. These processes are designed to ensure that providers are capable of offering quality awards at the appropriate standard, and that assessment of learners is fair and consistent. When this has been done, the learners who successfully complete such programmes and satisfy the assessment criteria are eligible for FETAC awards.

To date in excess of 600 providers of further education and training, incorporating over 1,300 separate centres, have agreed their quality assurance arrangements with FETAC and can offer programmes leading to FETAC awards at Levels 1 to 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications.

FETAC accredits an extensive range of vocational awards designed to prepare learners for employment as operators and craft workers across a range of occupations in the business, tourism, catering, construction, IT, multimedia, sport and recreation, marketing, international trade, travel, art craft and design, community care, childcare, and industrial and service sectors. In addition to these awards, there are a number of general awards which are appropriate to business and enterprise development — for example Start Your Own Business, Enterprise Development, eBusiness, Business Studies, Business Administration and Management, Strategic Customer Relations Management, Business Appraisal, are all current awards which are validated by FETAC. The modular format of FETAC awards (a number of minor awards leading to a major award in a particular area) allows for flexibility for learners in achieving qualifications.

FETAC has also established a Standards Advisory Board, and is setting up Standard Development Groups to develop awards and standards in the future. These provide for representation from a range of stakeholders across education, training, industry and professional bodies in the development of standards and awards. In addition, any provider, in an education or training institution in the public or private sector, or in a workplace or community setting, may submit a new programme or award for validation. In this way FETAC is well placed to identify and respond to changing demands from industry.

It should be noted that under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, FETAC is not a direct provider of education and training. Rather, it responds to applications from providers in the public and private sector who seek to have their programmes validated in accordance with the policies and criteria set out by the Council. The development of programmes is a function of providers.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 891: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to any deficiency in the provision of vocationally related qualifications resulting from a lack of recognition of qualifications from outside the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1710/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that reports have highlighted some difficulties regarding the recognition of migrants' qualifications, and indicate that many highly skilled migrants work in occupations demanding lower levels of skill.

EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications enables professionals qualified in another Member State to seek recognition of their qualifications and/or experience in Ireland for the purpose of practising their profession. This Directive applies only where the profession is regulated i.e. where the practice of the profession is confined by law, regulation or administrative procedure to persons who hold specific qualifications, or registration/recognition from a specific competent authority or professional body. If a profession is not regulated in the State then recognition of a qualification in terms of gaining employment is a matter for the prospective employer. However, the normal obligations under equality legislation would apply in such cases.

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has established Qualifications Recognition — Ireland, a one stop shop for enquiries regarding the recognition of awards from other countries, whether for purposes of the regulated professions, for employment or for access and progression to further or higher education and training. Applicants can complete the application on line, but this needs to be accompanied by a certified copy of the award, a certified copy of the transcript, and certified translations of these documents into Irish or English. The NQAI then refers the documentation to the appropriate bodies for advice, building on its extensive networks with European national contact points and information centres relating to education and training.

The information provided by Qualifications Recognition — Ireland is advisory in nature. It is based on the award documentation presented by the applicant. No advice can be issued regarding a foreign qualification where there is no comparable Irish award type. In addition, advice cannot be provided on the comparability of an award where it is gained in, or issued by, an institution that is not recognised within its home jurisdiction as providing awards that are quality assured.

The recognition service is offered free of charge (although applicants must cover the cost of translating their application documents) and is available to individuals, employers public bodies etc. A leaflet entitled "Qualifications Matter" which outlines the service is available upon request and is also available in Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian.

The numbers availing of the service are increasing, but those seeking advice reflect only a small proportion of migrant workers in Ireland. The availability of the service has been publicised through contacts, conferences and information provided to migrant groups organisations, employers and education and training providers.