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Language Schools

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (321, 322, 323)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

321. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to protect students of English as a foreign language who are paying fees to QQI language schools from further closures which would result in a loss of fees and investment. [54437/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joan Burton

Ceist:

322. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of reports that have been commissioned by his Department in regard to students of English as a foreign language whose courses have ceased suddenly, leaving students left out of education and out of pocket without warning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54438/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joan Burton

Ceist:

323. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of providers of education and training, including English language training, that have been awarded the QQI international education mark; the number of providers that have applied; and the number that were refused. [54439/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, together.

The majority of English language schools in Ireland are privately run and do not come under the remit of my Department or Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). My Department has not commissioned any reports in relation to the closure of English language schools.

The Deputy may be aware that my Department is taking steps to strengthen regulation of the English language sector. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018 is currently before the Seanad. The new Bill provides for the establishment of the International Education Mark (IEM).

The IEM is a core component of the Government's policy for the English language sector and will provide a full quality framework for the provision of education to international learners in the future. Only those providers who meet the robust quality assurance procedures of QQI will be allowed to carry the Mark.

Once fully implemented, providers will be able to apply to QQI to gain authorisation to use the IEM in order to be eligible to recruit international students. The IEM is a tool to further enhance and sustain the quality of our education system. It also provides learners, or potential learners, with the necessary confidence that providers with the IEM have been quality assured by QQI.

The Bill also contains provisions to provide QQI with additional statutory powers to examine a provider’s financial sustainability. These provisions will enable QQI to examine the bona fides of a provider in addition to assessing that the provider has the capacity and capability to implement the quality assurance processes and provide programmes of education and training consistent with the requirements of the Act. Providers will have to satisfy QQI in relation to issues such as the legal personality, ownership and corporate governance arrangements in addition to examining that adequate financial resources are in place to ensure the viability of these businesses.

Upon enactment, the Bill will also empower QQI to establish a Protection for Enrolled Learners (PEL) Fund. This fund will be resourced by an annual charge from those providers covered by it. The fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.

The Deputy may also be aware of the appointment of a mediator to the English language education sector recently announced by my Department.

Mr Patrick King, the former General Secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI), has been appointed to work with relevant stakeholders to explore the potential to address some of the employment related issues that have arisen in the English language education sector. Mr King will meet with employer and employee representative bodies early in 2019 to identify and discuss relevant issues. Mr King’s role will be to explore whether there is scope for a set of minimum employment standards that could be agreed for the sector, and which could form the basis of a Registered Employment Agreement.

This process will provide an opportunity for both employers and employees to address the employment related issues that continue to damage the reputation of the sector.

Interested parties are being encouraged to make a submission with their views on relevant issues that will assist the mediator in his work. A dedicated email address is now open to receive submissions: elemediation@education.gov.ie.

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