News Releases
New NFQ Descriptors for Professional Awards, together with Revised Policy and Procedures are approved, 22 December 2011
New descriptors for professional awards and a revised policy and procedures for alignment of the awards of professional bodies to the NFQ were approved by NQAI and HETAC respectively in November 2011. Click here for further information.
Interim website for Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland, 16 December 2011
An interim website for Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland is available here. The website provides accurate information to learners, providers and the public on progress towards amalgamation.
The Authority will also ensure that all stakeholders have access to relevant comprehensive information on the amalgamation as it progresses. Updates will appear on this website and on the interim website.
ACELS, Test of Interactive English (TIE), 11 November 2011
The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland wishes to announce a revised process for the approval of providers interested in working with us to promote and administer the Test of Interactive English (TIE). In the interest of maintaining and enhancing the quality of the TIE examinations and to make TIE available to all interested learners, we are inviting interested parties to apply for approved TIE provider status. Click here for further information.
“Professional Diploma in Education”: notice regarding new title for university initial post-primary teaching qualification, starting academic year 2011/2012.
Click here for further information.
Alignment under the Group C, 16 September 2011
The recently published Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 provides for the establishment of a new single national agency, Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQAI) replacing HETAC, FETAC, NQAI and IUQB.
In the light of the necessary preparations for the amalgamation, and to ensure quality of service to our stakeholders over the coming period, no further applications for alignment under the Group C policies and criteria will be accepted from 16th September 2011. Applications already received will be processed to completion as appropriate. Further information is available here.
Alignment under the agreement with Ofqual, 16 September 2011
The recently published Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 provides for the establishment of a new single national agency, Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQAI) replacing HETAC, FETAC, NQAI and IUQB.
In the light of the necessary preparations for the amalgamation, and to ensure quality of service to our stakeholdersover the coming period, no further application dates for alignment under the agreement with Ofqual have currently been set for 2012. This does not impact on the application dates for 2011 i.e. 19th September – 28th October. Further information is available here.
Agreement for quality assurance and alignment with the NFQ of the qualifications of Ofqual recognised awarding organisations, 29 July 2011
In March 2011, the NQAI and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) put in place a revised agreement for the quality assurance and alignment of the qualifications of Ofqual recognised awarding organisations, awarded to learners in the Republic of Ireland, with the NFQ. The first phase of alignment was completed on 29 July 2011 when the awards of six Ofqual recognised Awarding Organisations were aligned with the NFQ. Further information is available here.
Publication of Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill, 27 July 2011
The NQAI, FETAC, HETAC and IUQB today, welcome the publication of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training ) Bill, 2011. The legislation provides for a new single national agency, Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQAI), replacing FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IUQB. It is anticipated that QQAI will be established in 2012. Further information including the bill is available here.
Review of the Effectiveness of the Quality Assurance Arrangements of the Dublin Institute of Technology, 28 June 2011
The completion of the review of the effectiveness of the quality assurance procedures of the Dublin Institute of Technology and publication of outcomes is available here.
Change to closing date for receipt of Internationalisation Register Applications, 24 June 2011
Applications must be received on or before the 18th of each month for consideration for inclusion on the Internationalisation Register which is published on the 18th of the following month. Further information on the application process can be found here
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has published ‘Developing recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), The Role of RPL in the context of the National Skills Strategy Upskilling Objectives’, 28 April 2011.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has published ‘Developing recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), The Role of RPL in the context of the National Skills Strategy Upskilling Objectives’, April 2011. The EGFSN was requested by the Department of Education and Skills to undertake this project. The NQAI executive contributed a considerable time, advice and material to the EGFSN executive. The report examines how RPL can be further developed in Ireland particularly in its role in upskilling and engaging people in education and training. It’s recommendations are targeted across the National Framework of Qualifications. The provide a basis for a more integrated, national RPL policy in Ireland. The report and a presentation key findings can be found on the EGFSN website, www.skillsireland.ie at the following link.
Agreement for quality assurance and alignment with the NFQ of the qualifications of Ofqual recognised awarding organisations, 28 March 2011
Ofqual and the NQAI are pleased to publish a revised agreement for the alignment and quality assurance of the qualifications of Ofqual recognised awarding organisations, awarded to learners in the Republic of Ireland, with the NFQ.
Further details are available from this link.
New Appointments System for Visiting the Authority, 01 March 2011
From Monday, 07 March 2011, a new appointments system will be in place for those who have specific questions regarding the Qualifications Recognition service and for other members of the public visiting the offices of the Authority. The new appointments system will help ensure that all individuals wishing to access the services of the Authority can do so in an efficient and timely manner. To make an appointment, you may call us on 01-8871512 or e-mail info@qualrec.ie. Appointments will be arranged where necessary.
Applications to Qualifications Recognition may be posted to our address, taking care to include all required documentation (Qualifications Recognition, 5th Floor, Jervis House, Jervis Street, Dublin 1).
Internationalisation Register: Notice on Vocational, Business and Other Programmes, 22 February 2011
The Immigration and Citizenship Policy / Student Review Unit of the Department of Justice and Law Reform has issued the following supplementary notice regarding the status of certain vocational and other programmes offered by providers regarding their eligibility for inclusion in the Internationalisation Register.
Further details are available from this link.
Review of the Effectiveness of the Quality Assurance Arrangements of the Dublin Institute of Technology
The Dublin Institute of Technology is subject to external quality assurance, as set out in the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999. Section 39(4) of the Qualifications Act requires the National Qualifications Authority (NQAI) to review the effectiveness of the Institute’s quality assurance procedures ‘not more than once in every three years and not less than once in every seven years’. In fulfillment of this requirement it was agreed by the Authority in May 2010 that a review should take place in the academic year 2010-11 and Terms of Reference have been agreed.
Further details are available from this link.
Internationalisation Register: Eligibility criteria from 01 January 2011
The Internationalisation Register is administered by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), on behalf of the Departments of Justice and Law Reform, and of Education and Skills. The Register lists the education and training programmes approved for the purposes of access to employment by students who are citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
