Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement his Department has had with the Unite trade union regarding the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill and the regulation of the ELS profession in the context of the forthcoming legislation; if he will meet representatives of the union to discuss it having an input into the forthcoming legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32378/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I published the General Scheme of a Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill on 15th May 2017, following approval by Government.  The purpose of this Bill is to address a number of issues that are currently impeding Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and qualifications across the further and higher education sectors, from exercising some of its intended functions. 

The General Scheme contains amendments to facilitate the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) which is a core component of the Government's policy for the English language sector.  The IEM will be managed by QQI and only those providers who meet the robust quality assurance procedures of QQI will be allowed to carry the Mark.  The development of the IEM and related Code of Practice for the provision of programmes of education and training to international learners was subject to extensive consultation involving all relevant stakeholders in 2013 and 2014 as part of QQI’s comprehensive policy development programme.  My Department has previously responded to issues raised by Unite in relation to the regulation of the English language sector.

The General Scheme of the Bill has now been referred to the relevant Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny.