Vol. 573 No. 3
310 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the procedures which were applied by his Department in approving the graduate diploma in primary education of Hibernia College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24952/03]
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999 provided for the establishment of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the further and higher education and training awards councils for the accreditation of non-university education and training awards at further and higher levels. The role of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council is to establish policies and criteria for the making of higher education and training awards and the validation of programmes, to determine the standards of knowledge skills and competences to be acquired by learners for an award, to make or recognise awards and to monitor the quality of programmes, ensuring that providers have procedures for assessment of learners which are fair and consistent. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is responsible for establishing the overall policies and criteria for the framework of qualifications, and the procedures for the performance of the functions of the awards councils
Hibernia College made an application to HETAC for validation of its graduate diploma in primary education in the format prescribed, setting out the programme objectives and outcomes, structure and outline content, assessment arrangements for learners, and facilities and staff expertise available. A panel of assessors examined the documentation and visited the college. The programme accreditation committee of HETAC considered their report and accredited the programme. A certificate of course approval was issued in July 2003.
311 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there was no public advertising process in relation to the provision of teacher education on-line in advance of the approval of Hibernia College's programme leading to a graduate diploma in primary education; if the rules governing public procurement and tendering apply in such a process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24953/03]
The Minister for Education and Science is the designated authority for the recognition of qualifications for purposes of employment for the regulated profession of primary teaching. Applications for recognition of qualifications are received from time to time, either from individual graduates or from institutions. In the case of the graduate diploma in primary education, my Department received an application from Hibernia College seeking to have the course, which is validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, HETAC, recognised for primary teaching. It is open to other providers to make an application for recognition if they so wish and any such application will be considered by my Department in the normal way.
