Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the registration of students by private colleges for courses accredited by HETAC and FETAC, if he will confirm if it is the case that such students can only be registered if they have a PPS number, or the British equivalent; the reasons for same; if he has considered the negative impact that this may have on uptake by overseas students of e-learning courses delivered by institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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HETAC seeks the Personal Public Services Number (PPSN) as part of its learner registration processes. HETAC is aware that certain learners may not have a PPSN available at registration. In these circumstances, an alternative identifier is generated by HETAC.

FETAC requires students to have a PPSN or its UK equivalent for the purpose of certification of learning and uses them as a unique identifier of learners. It is particularly important that a strong and well-understood identifier is used in further education and training where learners may receive FETAC major awards having accumulated modules across a number of different providers.

I am not aware of these practices creating difficulties for HETAC or FETAC registered providers seeking to offer distance learning programmes.