John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the withdrawal of accreditation by the Psychological Society of Ireland of a BA in behavioural science, psychology, course in a college (details supplied) in Dublin 2 in September 2009; if her attention has been drawn to this fact that when this course was included as a CAO option in 2009; her advice to students who paid substantial fees to undertake this course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25557/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The accreditation by professional bodies, such as the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), of awards made by higher education institutions is not something which would be brought to my attention as a matter of course, and therefore I was not aware of the withdrawal of accreditation referred to in the question. However, officials in my Department have looked into this matter and I note that the PSI has agreed to extend accreditation of this course to November of this year.

I would also point out that the college in question was recently the subject of an Institutional Review carried out by HETAC, and the report published following this review made recommendations on this issue. Firstly, it was recommended that the college follow up on the process of renewing PSI accreditation for its programme expeditiously in order to clarify the position for students and other stakeholders. In addition, it was recommended that the college's marketing documentation and website make clear that continued accreditation is subject to confirmation by PSI. I understand that the college is addressing these issues.

The CAO is a private (not-for-profit) company and receives no State funding. The higher education institutions have delegated to the CAO the task of processing centrally applications for admission to their first year undergraduate courses. Neither my Department nor the Higher Education Authority has any role to play in relation to the operation of the CAO.