Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
1066. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which ongoing TrustEd staffing ratios will be verified between inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4507/26]
View answer1067. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if TrustEd includes restrictions or checks on employing Stamp 2 English-language students as teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/26]
View answer1068. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the checks that exist to ensure ELT schools employ suitably qualified staff and do not rely on student-visa holders to undercut wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4511/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1066, 1067 and 1068 together. A new international education quality mark, TrustEd Ireland, is being introduced by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an agency under the remit of my Department. The TrustEd Ireland Mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet new national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners.
To obtain the TrustEd Ireland mark providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare and academic support provisions.
In addition, providers must also demonstrate compliance with an associated Code of Practice. The Code of Practice for the provision of English language education programmes to international learners sets out requirements relating to staffing ratios and teacher contact hours as well as the qualifications and employment conditions of teaching staff.
As per the requirements of this Code, English language education providers must ensure there is an appropriate learner to teacher ratio across all programmes. Each teacher’s schedule must not exceed thirty sixty-minute contact teaching hours per week at any time during the year.
In relation to teacher qualifications, the Code specifies that all teaching staff must hold a major award at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent, and they must also have completed an English language teacher training/education programme leading to an award at a minimum of Level 6 on the NFQ or equivalent and validated by QQI, a national awarding body or an internationally recognised awarding body.
There is no restriction on English language education providers employing qualified teachers of English, provided that they meet the qualifications outlined above.
The Code also contains provisions in relation to the salary and employment conditions of staff employed by English language education providers. These provisions relate to compliance with national employment legislation; ensuring that employment terms and conditions, including remuneration and leave, are commensurate with the qualifications and experience of staff members; and also ensuring that the conditions of employment reflect the mission statement and objectives of the provider and support commitment to staff, learners, and the organisation.
The Code of Practice is available at the following link: www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2023-10/iem-02-ele-code-of-practice-october-2023.pdf
All English language education providers authorised to use the TrustEd Ireland mark will be subject to a review of that authorisation at least once every three years. In addition, providers are required to submit a monitoring report every 18 months. QQI may withdraw an provider’s authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark where it considers that the provider no longer complies with the Code of Practice.
