Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
478 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated number of students attending private third level institutes of education; and the nature of the relationship which these colleges have with her Department. [3510/05]
View answerMy Department does not regulate provision in private colleges, except insofar as the functions set out below are concerned. The data submitted for statistical purposes to my Department indicates that in 2002/03 6899 students attend courses in non-aided third level colleges, but this information is submitted on a voluntary basis and does not necessarily cover all activity in the private sector.
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, provides that the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council may approve the quality assurance arrangements of institutions in the private sector, validate programmes and make or recognise awards, in compliance with quality criteria. Under section 43 of the Act, the awards councils may not carry out this function unless they are satisfied, in the case of providers offering programmes of at least three month's duration on a commercial or profit making basis, that there are adequate arrangements for protection of learners in place, in the event of that provider ceasing operations. Such protection for learners may be secured under the Act either by having an agreement in place with at least two other providers to enable learners to transfer to continue their programmes should the provider cease operation, or a provision for a refund of fees. It is not obligatory, however, for providers of education and training in the private sector to seek national recognition for their awards.
The schemes of financial assistance for students attending post leaving certificate and higher education courses confine eligibility for grants to students attending approved full time courses in recognised State funded institutions, and to courses in other colleges which are recognised third level courses for the CAO system of entry and are validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. Similarly, eligibility for tax relief for third level fees for students attending courses in private colleges is also confined to courses approved under a code of standards by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council for this purpose.
A further role in relation to private colleges will arise as from 18 April 2005 under revised arrangements announced recently by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for the granting of access to work to students from countries outside the EU-EEA and Switzerland. This will confine access to work to students attending full time courses of at least one year's duration leading to qualifications recognised by my Department. At present criteria are being developed by my Department for the purpose of inclusion on the register of recognised courses for this purpose. These arrangements will include private sector providers who satisfy the quality criteria.
In addition, I recently launched a report on the internationalisation of Irish education services which sets out a strategy for promoting Ireland as a centre of excellence for international students. The report proposes the development of a quality mark and code of practice, and a mandatory licensing scheme, for colleges in the public and private sector offering courses of more than three month's duration aimed at international students.
My Department is the designated authority for the recognition of courses for the regulated profession of primary school teacher, and as such has a role in the approval of courses in certain private colleges for entry to employment as a national school teacher. In the context of these functions, my Department is in continuing contact with HECA, the Higher Education Colleges Association, which represents third level colleges in the private sector.
