Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 206 together.

The Government is taking further steps to strengthen the regulation of the English language education sector in Ireland. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark (IEM).

The new national Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland's further and higher education system. The Fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the Fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.

The Learner Protection Fund will introduce a new single statutory learner protection scheme, which will provide protection equally for all learners enrolled with providers that are authorised to use the International Education Mark. The introduction of the Fund aims to represent a comprehensive, cost-effective, equitable and transparent approach to the protection of enrolled learners in the State.

The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Irish Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. To obtain the IEM providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare, cultural awareness and academic support provisions. In addition, the Codes of Practice that underpin the IEM contain provisions relating to the relationships between providers and recruitment agents.

Ultimately, the primary purpose of the IEM is to protect international students who come to Ireland to study. Education institutions that are authorised to use the IEM brand will constitute a group of state-endorsed providers who can be trusted to deliver a quality educational experience to international learners.

My Department is currently working with QQI to implement the key precursor measures that are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the Learner Protection Fund and the IEM. It is planned that the application process for the IEM will open in Q1 2024.