Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
127. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the consultation process will open for the new international education strategy; if he will report on the progress of the international education mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6366/22]
View answerLast Friday (4th Feb), I launched the stakeholder consultation on the next iteration of the International Education, Research and Innovation Strategy. All documentation is available on my Department's website.
The legislative provisions necessary to facilitate the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) are contained in the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019. While this legislation is now in place, a considerable amount of preparatory work is required to facilitate the full implementation of the IEM.
My Department is working closely with QQI to develop and implement the key precursor measures that are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the IEM including the development of specific Ministerial Regulations for corporate fitness assessments and the establishment of a new national scheme for the Protection of Enrolled Learners. It is expected that these measures will be commenced on a phased basis over the course of this year.
Preparatory work is also underway to develop the Codes of Practice which will underpin the IEM. These will be informed by learnings from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the international education sector.
