Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1447. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the standards that private colleges are required to meet in terms of outlining criteria and processes for selecting applicants for Springboard+ subsidised courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40302/22]
View answerCourses approved for Springboard+ funding must lead to a higher education and training award that is included on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) at Levels 6 to 9 from one of the following Irish awarding bodies:
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), including combinations of modules from already validated courses leading to a major award. (*Combinations should be submitted to QQI for approval prior to or at the same time as submission to Springboard+ to ensure adequate time for validation)
- Institutes of Technology
- Universities
- Technological Universities
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
or
Lead to a higher education and training award that is a comparable award based on recognition advice available from QQI.
As part of the validation process for awards the higher education provider must provide details on the entry requirements for applicants, including the previous qualifications they have attained, work experience and anything else considered appropriate. The validating body will take this into consideration as part of this process to ensure that the awards are aligned to the correct level on the National Framework of Qualifications (NGQ). The provider must ensure that their processes for selecting applicants are in line with the terms of the validation so that applicants are assured the programmes they undertake are aligned to the NFQ.
In advertising courses the providers must include information on entry requirements to Springboard+ programmes.
