Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
110. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the application process for access to ACELS recognition is opening only for a temporary period; the way a language school can obtain ACELS recognition outside of those dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51591/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) was established through the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), HETAC and FETAC in November 2012. QQI assumed responsibility for the functions undertaken by those bodies including those functions, such as ACELS, which are carried out on an administrative basis. Since its establishment, QQI has been undertaking a comprehensive policy development programme, in order to put in place the policies and processes required to perform its functions under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. During this process, QQI has prioritised the development of those policies required to allow new applications from providers who wish to have access to the awards of QQI, and those policies were published in October. QQI will continue to roll out its remaining policies over the coming months. The operation of ACELS will be discontinued by QQI when its policies relating to the Code of Practice for the provision of education to international learners, and the related International Education Mark (IEM), are established next year. The Code of Practice and IEM will place the recognition and monitoring of the English Language sector by QQI on a statutory footing. Given the expected timeframe for the establishment of those policies, QQI decided to re-open access to ACELS recognition for a temporary period until 31 January 2014, to accommodate those English Language Training Organisations (ELTOs) who were ready to apply and who had expressed an interest in gaining recognition for 2014. As ACELS recognition is granted on an annual basis, this period is sufficient to allow interested ELTOs to apply and, where appropriate, gain recognition for 2014. Recognition from 2015 onwards will be granted in the context of the Code of Practice and International Education Mark. However, it should be noted that ACELS recognised ELTOs will not have an automatic enititlement to use the International Education Mark, but will have to demonstrate compliance with the Code of Practice and related policies.
