Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene to ensure the recognition by an organisation (details supplied) of a third level college course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The organisation referred to by the Deputy is an independent body and so cannot be compelled to recognise any particular third-level course as being suitable for professional recognition, nor can any timescale for such recognition be imposed.

The third level institution referred to by the Deputy has informed the HEA that the course in question is currently under review by the organisation concerned; that the organisation has visited the institution to assess the quality of the course; and that the institution is complying with all requests arising from that process as they occur. They also state that students on the course are being informed of progress and that they anticipate recognition by the organisation on completion of the review process. The institution's current briefing material on the course for prospective students does not declare that the course is recognised by the organisation, and makes no guarantees of such recognition being awarded.