Written answers

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Department of Education and Skills

Institutes of Technology

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an early parchment cannot be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal for employment purposes by the relevant institute of higher education; if his attention has been drawn to the implications such a situation is having on final year students when trying to secure job opportunities from employers that require the document prior to making a formal job offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20247/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. The management of their academic affairs, including any issues relating to the making or certification of awards, is a matter for the institutions concerned and I, as Minister, do not have any function in the matter.

The position with the institute of technology in question is that Degree Award parchments are issued at a formal Conferring of Awards Ceremony, once results have been formally ratified by their Academic Council, and following a recommendation from the relevant Board of Examiners. I understand that the institution does not issue parchments in advance.

This year, the end of year meetings of the Institute's Boards of Examiners will be held on 7-8 June, and examination results will be published on 12 June. After this date, students who have successfully completed their programme of study will be issued with their Transcript of Results and their Diploma Supplement, and will be conferred with their award in October 2018.

In addition, and in advance of the end of year examinations, the institute's Exams Office can provide students with letters for prospective employers confirming their registration status, including ECTS credits completed to date.

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