Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to a query regarding FETAC (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6288/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Legislation providing for the dissolution of the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) and its amalgamation with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) was published in July 2011 and is currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas. In order to manage the transition of functions to the new amalgamated agency, FETAC has decided that no new applications for provider registration will be accepted. I hope to establish the new Authority in the first half of the year and it will begin processing new applications for provider registration shortly thereafter. However, it should be noted that the Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services (ACELS) is a function of NQAI. ACELS provides quality assurance for English language services in Ireland through the management and operation of an Inspection/Recognition Scheme for English language schools and an Accreditation Scheme for English Language teacher training providers. ACELS is the longest standing and most widely recognised scheme of inspection and recognition in the English language sector. An application for recognition by ACELS may be submitted at any time and details are available on the NQAI's website at www.nqai.ie.