Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to regulate English language schools and further education establishments for immigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24763/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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English language schools and institutions offering international education are providers of an important service for thousands of learners who wish to enhance their education. The sector is also a major contributor to the Irish economy and recent estimates put its total economic impact at around €500 million. It is important, therefore, that institutions offering English language courses and other programmes of education to international students should operate in a regulatory environment which is robust and appropriate, and which has credibility both domestically and in the international market.

The existing regulatory regime for English language schools is operated by ACELS - the Advisory Council for English Language Schools - a body under the aegis of my Department. Institutions offering English language programmes must meet a set of standards in areas such as learning and teaching provision, teacher qualifications, premises and facilities. Compliance with these standards is assessed through an inspection regime operated by ACELS. Only programmes of education which meet these standards, and have been subject to inspection can be added to my Department's internationalisation register, which allows access by non-EEA students to employment, subject to certain conditions.

I am planning to introduce new arrangements for the promotion, marketing and regulation of the international education sector. As I have previously told the House, as part of these new arrangements, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland will be taking on responsibility for the development of further regulation of the international education sector, including the English language sector. This will include the development of a Quality Mark and a code of practice for international education providers. I am currently exploring the possibility of using the forthcoming Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill to provide a statutory underpinning for these developments.