Qualifax is an on-line database of educational courses. The Qualifax database includes listings and data on some 12,000 courses, including all undergraduate and postgraduate courses at third level, post-leaving certificate provision, evening and short-term courses at both second and third level, a range of further education courses, including VTOS, Youthreach, Traveller training and adult literacy courses. Details of FÁS, Fáilte Ireland and Teagasc training courses are also provided.
Qualifax provides a range of data on each course, including a description of the course, the qualification entailed, entry requirements, the institution in which it is offered, and relevant fees, grants and entitlements and application procedure. Qualifax also provides a range of support elements, including career descriptions, interest assessment and CAO points calculation software, student support information, careers events and calendars, etc. The Qualifax database is accessible on-line and is also provided for schools free of charge on CD for ease of access in a multi-user environment.
In addition, an adult education guidance service was developed to meet the needs of adult learners. Some 35 guidance projects were funded in 2005. The service offers information, advice and guidance to help people make the best possible choices for learning. The National Centre for Guidance in Education oversees the service. The Qualifax database complements the work of the emerging adult education guidance service by providing free of charge a coherent national information base that may be self-accessed by learners and providers, guidance services, as well as many other actors situated across the education system. A telephone helpline as referred to by the Deputy has not been established.