21 May, 2009 - Amalgamation of qualifications and quality assurance bodies – Minister O'Keeffe consults on implementation.

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe, TD, today published a consultation paper on the implementation of the amalgamation of qualifications and quality assurance bodies.
 
The publication of the consultation paper follows the announcement in Budget 2009 of the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), with the new body also taking responsibility for the external quality assurance function of the universities.
 
Also arising from the budget announcements, the consultation paper identifies a number of related functions of the National University of Ireland (NUI) which may be transferred to the new organisation.
 
Announcing the publication of the consultation paper, Minister O'Keeffe said that ‘The amalgamation of the bodies working in the area of qualifications and quality assurance is an important step in enhancing Ireland's reputation in this field.

‘All of the bodies involved have had considerable success in developing and enhancing work in the area of qualifications and quality assurance in both vocational education and training and in higher education.
 
‘There is some overlap in their responsibilities, so the organisational changes proposed in this paper represent the next logical step in ensuring that further and higher education and training institutions continue to deliver a quality service to all learners.
 
'Further progress can now be most efficiently and effectively achieved through the establishment of a strong single organisation prioritising the needs of learners and delivering a quality service."
 
The Minister went on to say that 'this focused period of consultation will be invaluable and I would strongly urge all interested parties to make submissions to my Department to ensure that a broad range of perspectives are considered."
 
The paper deals with the functions and institutional shape of the new amalgamated organisations and sets out the core issues which will inform the necessary legislation. The period of consultation will run until Friday 26th June and interested parties are invited to examine the paper and make submissions on the implementation of the amalgamation.
 
The consultation paper can be accessed in the "Reports and Publications" area of the Department's website, www.education.ie 

ENDS