Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 482: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 608 of 21 October 2008, the steps he will take to ensure bogus institutions are closed down; when they will be finalised; when they will be put into action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As outlined in PQ No. 608 of 21 October 2008, 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. In the past officials from my Department have contacted a number of organisations which were using the title "university" without consent and in most cases when the legislative requirements were explained, the organisations concerned voluntarily agreed to stop using the title. Agreement has also been reached with the Companies Registration Office whereby any business name applied for which features the term 'university' will not be accepted without the express approval of the Department of Education and Science.

The National Framework of Qualifications 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.

In addition, 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.

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.