Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the existence of a bogus university (details supplied) in Dublin 18; if, in addition to this bogus university there are at least four other similar institutions operating from the same address; the reason his Department or the Higher Education Authority have not taken legal action to close down these bodies in view of the damage they are doing to Ireland's international educational reputation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Universities Act (Section 52),1997 and the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 prohibit the use of the terms 'University', 'Institute of Technology' or 'Regional Technical College' where the organisation is also engaged in the provision of education services unless the Minister for Education consents to the use of the term. The organisations referred to by the Deputy do not use the terms 'University', 'Institute of Technology' or 'Regional Technical College' in their titles.

In Ireland we have a national framework of qualifications which enables providers in public, private, workplace or community settings to offer recognised awards in further or higher education, in compliance with the processes set out by the Further Education and Training Awards Council or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. Such providers must agree their quality assurance arrangements with the relevant awards council, and satisfy the council that the awards are of an appropriate standard, the necessary supports are in place for learners and the assessment arrangements are fair and consistent. There are also procedures under which international or professional bodies may seek to have their programmes aligned with or included in the national framework of qualifications in Ireland, if they wish to do so. My Department is also bound by the Lisbon Convention and the EU Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications to give appropriate recognition to nationally accredited awards from other jurisdictions.

In addition to this, the Department maintains an Internationalisation Register containing programmes which are approved for the purpose of access to work by students who are citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Only programmes which have been quality assured and/or lead to recognised qualifications are included on the Register. Both the Internationalisation Register and a list of approved higher education providers are maintained on the Department's website.

The organisation referred to by the Deputy is not included on the Internationalisation Register, and does not currently offer programmes recognised by FETAC or HETAC under the national framework of qualifications.

Learners are advised to carefully review the accreditation of any intended course of study before paying fees or beginning a programme. The Government intends to take a number of steps to bring greater clarity and focus to the promotion of Irish educational programmes overseas. This will include the development and implementation of a Quality Mark for international education programmes, the award of which will be based on appropriate certification of educational programmes and implementation by institutions of a Code of Practice for the delivery of international education services.