Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
677. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the ability of non-accreditation and co-ordination of English language services schools to appear on international registers to non-European Economic Area students. [13949/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Internationalisation Register includes information on education and training programmes which meet specified criteria. It is a reference point primarily for the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department of Justice and Equality in considering visa and residency applications from non-EEA applicants wishing to study on a full-time basis in Ireland and to avail of a concession to take up casual employment in the State with certain restrictions. My Department has an advisory role in identifying appropriate criteria for the inclusion of programmes in the Register. The types of programme eligible for inclusion in the Internationalisation Register are divided into two categories: (a) Degree Programmes and (b) Language and Non-Degree Programmes. In relation to category (b), one of the current criteria for inclusion on the register is that a provider of English language training has been recognised by the ACELS (Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services) voluntary scheme. However it is possible for non-ACELS recognised schools to have programmes included on the register because they either satisfy the criteria relating to category (a) or they comply with other minimum standards relating to alignment, accreditation and, in the case of English language programmes, minimum learning hours for students.
Further information on the current criteria for inclusion of programmes in the Internationalisation Register is available to the Deputy at the following link: http://www.intregister.ie/.
The Deputy should be aware that the Internationalisation Register will be replaced by an Interim List of Eligible Programmes for Student Immigration Permission (ILEP). Officials in my Department are liaising closely with officials in the Department of Justice and Equality on the arrangements for the implementation of the ILEP. These arrangements are at an advanced stage and will be submitted to Government for approval shortly.
