Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his Department's plans for the Test of Interactive English, TIE; when the current tender for TIE expires; if it will be put out to tender again when it expires; if TIE remains an exam accredited and validated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41322/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Test of Interactive English (TIE) is an international 'English as a Foreign Language' exam which was first launched in 2000.  It was developed in Ireland by the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS), a Government agency which was responsible at that time for quality assurance in English language teaching.

Upon its establishment in November 2012, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) assumed responsibility for the administration of the ACELS functions, including the TIE.  My Department has no role in the accreditation of the TIE.

There are currently two providers for which QQI administers the TIE examinations.  These providers have been notified that QQI will cease to administer the TIE examinations on their behalf when their current agreement expires on 31^stMarch 2017.

Both providers have been granted permission by my Department to continue to offer TIE examinations, subject to certain terms and conditions, post 31^stMarch 2017.