I am aware of concerns which have been outlined in relation to my decision to recognise the qualification of graduate diploma in primary education of Hibernia College for the purpose of employment as a primary teacher. The position is that 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 competencies 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.