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School Closures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018

Thursday, 19 April 2018

Ceisteanna (151)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

151. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the events surrounding the closure of a school (details supplied); if there is provision for payment of outstanding moneys owed to teachers; his plans to regulate these establishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17240/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Provider in question came to my Department’s attention earlier this year following an inspection by the Department of Justice and Equality related to the listing of its programmes on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). A listing on the ILEP is required for a provider to enrol students requiring immigration permissions.   

On 9th February 2018, following the outturn of this inspection and an assessment of the provider’s non-compliance with the criteria for inclusion on the ILEP, the Department of Justice and Equality in consultation with my Department took the decision to remove this provider’s programmes from the ILEP in line with the established procedures for this process.

The Provider in question has comprehensive learner protection arrangements in place by way of an insurance policy. Arrangements for students affected by the closure are being made under this policy, enabling students to complete their courses with other providers or to be otherwise compensated. The Department of Justice and Equality has engaged with students holding immigration permissions to facilitate the teaching out the programmes concerned.

The ILEP is an interim regulatory tool for student immigration until the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM). Legislative measures to enable the introduction of the IEM are contained within the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill. The General Scheme of this Bill was published on 15th May 2017 following its approval by Government and drafting work on this Bill by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is ongoing. The enactment of this legislation will enable the introduction of the IEM and its operation by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

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