Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
975. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to address the shortage and dramatic decrease of QQI-registered further education and training providers from 345 in 2021, 317 in 2022 and just 176 in 2023; to provide updated details for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra976. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to address the shortage and dramatic decrease of the number of QQI-registered further education and training providers that issued certification/certificates within the years 2021 (251), 2022 (216) and 2023 (169); if he will provide updated details on certification numbers for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32589/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions 975 and 976 together.
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 requires providers of further education and training (FET) seeking to offer programmes leading to awards validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to prepare quality assurance procedures for approval by QQI. The Act provided for continuity of quality assurance services and awards for legacy providers engaged with QQI's predecessor agencies [including the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)] until such time as revised quality assurance procedures had been submitted to QQI for approval. For this group of providers, this process was termed "re-engagement".
QQI adopted a risk-based approach to scheduling re-engagement, with smaller providers scheduled later in the process. Some providers elected not to reengage due to various business factors. Others entered into arrangements with other approved providers (such as Education and Training Boards) and continue to operate within the quality assurance framework of those providers. Following the conclusion of the re-engagement process, the number of FET providers has remained relatively stable. In parallel, there has been an increase in the number of FET awards made.
Please see relevant details outlined in the attached document.
