Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason degrees attained from South African universities are not recognised here or throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10716/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has a statutory role in regard to advising on the comparability of international qualifications, and promoting recognition of Irish qualifications overseas. The Lisbon Convention which was ratified by Ireland in March 2004 sets out that each country designate a National Information Centre to assist students in securing appropriate recognition of their qualifications.

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is the Irish centre for the recognition of international qualifications, and has established Qualifications Recognition — Ireland (www.qualificationsrecognition.ie) to provide advice on the comparability of qualifications for persons seeking access to employment, to further education and training or seeking the pursuit of a regulated profession. The centre acts as a first point of contact and refers queries to the appropriate awards body or competent authority for the regulated professions. The centre is networked with national contact points for academic recognition and information on vocational education and training throughout the EU.

While South Africa is not a signatory to the Lisbon Convention and is not part of the Bologna process forging common principles and approaches to higher education across 45 countries, awards from South Africa, and indeed from many non EU/EEA countries, are recognised in Ireland. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) has advised in relation to the international recognition of a number of South African degrees in recent years. The advice has indicated the closest comparable Irish qualification to the South African qualification presented to the Authority. The information provided by the Authority is advisory in nature. It is a matter for employers and learning institutions to determine themselves if a candidate's qualifications satisfy their particular requirements.