News Releases
10 December 2008, Country Note by the OECD
Publication of Country Note by the OECD regarding the Recognition of Non-Formal and Informal Learning in Ireland.
Ireland is one of over twenty countries currently participating in an OECD study on the topic of the Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning (RNFIL).
19 November 2008, Consultative Forum
As part of its work, the Study Team convened a Consultative Forum on 18 November 2008. The Study Team would like to thank all participants in the Forum, which they found very valuable. The team will consider the various inputs to the Study and are aiming to publish their report in April 2009. Further details will be made available in due course.
03 October 2008, Framework Implementation and Impact Study
The National Qualifications Authority has commissioned a study on the implementation and impact of the National Framework of Qualifications and associated policies on Access, Transfer and Progression. Places at the Consultative Forum on 18 November 2008 have all been allocated. You are still invited to make a public submission to the Study Team
Click here for further details
24 September 2008, Awards of a number of UK Vocational Education and Training Awarding Bodies aligned with the NFQ
The Authority agreed a policy approach in 2006 for the alignment of the qualifications of UK education and training awarding bodies (delivered in Ireland) with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The main purpose of aligning these qualifications is to provide learners with clear information regarding the qualification and the level at which it best fits on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Click here for further details
08 August 2008, EQF for lifelong learning formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council
The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning was formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council on 23 April 2008.
24 June 2008, QualifaX, the National Learners’ Database, joins the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
Mr. Batt O’Keefe T.D., Minister for Education and Science, opened an event held on 24 June 2008 to mark the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland taking responsibility for QualifaX, the National Learners' Database.
Press Release - QualifaX joins Authority
12 May 2008, Paper on relationship between the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the National Framework of Qualifications
The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has, with the agreement of Irish awarding bodies, published a paper on the possible establishment of a relationship between the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the National Framework of Qualifications. The paper seeks to inform debate on the issues concerned while not setting out a definitive view. The issues in the paper will need to be the subject of further consideration in the context of the continuing implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications and of development in the international languages sector.
02 May 2008 QualifaX joins Authority
QualifaX is Ireland’s National Learners’ Database. It is the “one stop shop” for learners, providing comprehensive information on a wide range of courses across further and higher education and training. QualifaX became part of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland in January 2008.
29 February 2008 Integration Minister addresses Qualifications Recognition Ireland
"It is critical for migrants coming to Ireland that their existing education and qualifications are recognised so that they can fully participate and integrate into Irish society" the Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan, T.D., said today (29, February 2008)
21 February 2008 Completion of Review of the Further Education and Training Awards Council
The Authority has completed its review of the performance by FETAC of its functions. The report of the review panel, FETAC’s response and the Authority’s conclusions on the process were published by the Authority today.
20 February 2008 Alignment of Open University and SQA awards with the National Framework of Qualifications
The awards of the Open University and the Scottish Qualifications Authority were aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications in February 2008. The alignment exercise facilitates the alignment of awards made by bodies outside the State, in keeping with the vision of the National Framework of Qualifications and its ethos of facilitating the recognition of learning and supporting access, transfer and progression for learners.
