Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if FÁS will be seeking international recognition of Irish trade qualifications in order for persons to get work in the US and other locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4192/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) has responsibility for developing and maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications. It is governed by the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act 1999, which stipulates that the NQAI will "promote recognition outside the State of awards made by bodies in the State and recognition in the State of awards made by bodies outside the State".

In this context, the NQAI has established a qualifications recognition service, which is the Irish centre for the recognition of international qualifications. The NQAI represents Ireland in a European network of centres known as ENIC/NARIC (European National Information Centre/National Academic Recognition Information Centre) and is a National Reference Point, which promotes the recognition of international vocational qualifications throughout Europe and further a field, including the United States of America.

The role of FÁS, as the National Training & Employment Authority is to enable the State to engage in and support human resource development of the labour force. Many courses offered by FÁS including apprenticeships, lead to qualifications that are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The NQAI is currently undertaking the alignment of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications with European Framework of Qualifications. When the alignment is complete, it should result in greater transparency and recognition across the EU for all Irish awards, including trade qualifications.

Prior to the transfer of its certification powers to FETAC, FÁS negotiated mutual recognition agreements with the UK and Germany for several Irish trades. FÁS are committed to working proactively with the NQAI with a view to identifying the steps needed to assist tradespeople wishing to have their qualifications recognised abroad.