Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Health if a leaving certificate is a requirement to enter onto a FETAC Level 5 course in health studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17250/14]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health if a FETAC Level 5 course in health studies would be considered the equivalent or higher qualification than a leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17251/14]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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216. To ask the Minister for Health the number of positions advertised in the past year by the Health Service Executive where a FETAC Level 5 qualification was an essential criteria; the number of these where a leaving certificate was an essential criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17252/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training, and validates programmes and makes awards for certain providers in these sectors. FETAC awards are awarded by QQI. Entry requirements to a FETAC Level 5 course are determined by training providers, who may require that applicants have successfully completed the Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate spans both Level 4 and Level 5 of the National Framework of Qualifications. With regard to the Deputy's question in relation to the number of positions advertised in the past year by the HSE where a FETAC Level 5 qualification or the Leaving Certificate was an essential criteria, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.