Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In May 2015 the Government announced significant reforms of the international education sector and student immigration. Most of these reforms had already been signalled the previous September in a joint statement by the Minister for Education and Science and myself. A key element is the implementation of the International List of Educational Providers (ILEP) to replace the International Register on a phased basis during 2015.

Applications for inclusion on the ILEP from all private providers, including those providing English Language Programmes, will be assessed against a range of criteria, for example; the transparency of ownership, standards of governance, learner protection and the operation and quality of the educational product. The educational criteria, in particular, will look at the learning environment, teaching and learning supports and the learning contents and outcomes. In addition unannounced on-site inspections of providers will be conducted during the application phase and afterwards to ensure that providers remain fully compliant with the criteria for inclusion on the ILEP. All of theses requirements are set out in detail in the Government Policy Statement and the Guidelines for English Language and Higher Education and Professional Programmes on the website of the Irish naturalisation and Immigration service website (www.inis.gov.ie).

There will be an appeals process available to providers in respect of adverse decisions. This will involve a more senior official reviewing the initial finding and will include an opportunity for the provider to provide additional material in support of their appeal. Appeals will be accepted within five working days of the applicant receiving the initial decision.

As with any new process it will take some time to bed down and there have been some gaps in the information provided in the majority of applications and this is being addressed with the providers on an ongoing basis. The overall process is generally taking somewhat longer than anticipated. As a result the next phase of the reforms intended for 1 October 2015, and in particular the publication of an updated ILEP will be delayed for a number of weeks. Providers have been informed. A new date will be notified shortly.