Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is due to publish its policy in relation to re-engagement with its providers shortly. Re-engagement, or the formal agreement of quality assurance (QA) procedures with QQI, is a requirement for legacy providers, such as the organisation referred to by the Deputy, under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012. It will happen only once for a provider; thereafter the provider will have to undergo periodic review of the effectiveness of its QA procedures. The re-engagement process will allow providers to demonstrate their capacity in respect of the development, ownership and implementation of their QA procedures, including the development of programmes and assessment of learners. The fees to be applied to legacy providers seeking to re-engage with QQI have yet to be determined. QQI's proposals in that regard, and any associated issues, will be considered when they are made. Since its establishment, QQI has been proactive in its engagement with education and training representative bodies. Specifically, it has engaged with Aontas, the Community Education Network (CEN) and the ICTU community sector. By their nature, community sector providers often have relatively small numbers of learners. This raises questions in relation to the multiple small providers engaged with QQI and the proliferation of quality assurance systems that operate to support this provision. QQI therefore continues to encourage these representative bodies to assist in reconfiguring providers in such a way that provides for the development of fewer, more robust and sustainable quality assurance systems which can support the programme delivery required for learners.
