Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
117. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he expects the new Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority to commence accepting applications for accreditation of new providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43107/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will be establishing the new Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQAAI) in the coming weeks and from that point providers which currently have their awards made by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) will have their awards made by the new body. While the existing bodies have made good progress in making administrative preparations for the amalgamation, the new Authority will have to determine its own policies, criteria and procedures before it can provide a full range of services to providers. I expect the Authority to be in a position to provide such services, including the processing of applications for accreditation from new providers, in the Spring of next year.
