Current consultations
QQI Monitoring Policy and Framework
The white paper sets forth QQI's new policy and overarching framework for monitoring providers within the tertiary education system, including higher education, further education and training, and English language education, detailing the principles, types, and outcomes of monitoring activities. The new monitoring policy and framework aims to provide assurance to QQI and the public that education and training providers are fulfilling their regulatory obligations and maintaining the integrity, relevance, and currency of their qualifications.
QQI Monitoring Policy and Framework
Procedures for the focused review of validated programmes
This white paper sets out the procedure to be followed where QQI identifies the need to initiate a focused review of validated programmes under section 46 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. A focused review is intended to:
- determine that a programme(s) continues to meet QQI’s validation criteria established under Section 44(1) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012;
- confirm that a programme(s) complies with conditions set by QQI under Section 45(2) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012; and
- evaluate any other concerns that may give rise to reasonable grounds for withdrawal by QQI of validation of a programme(s).
QQI may conduct a focused review of a provider’s validated programmes from time to time, as it considers appropriate, or in response to causes for concern that have come to its attention in relation to the validated programme(s). The white paper has been developed to complement the existing Procedures for Focused Reviews by QQI of the Implementation and Effectiveness of Provider QA Procedures, as well as QQI’s emerging Monitoring Policy and Framework.
Procedures for Focused Reviews of Programmes of Education and Training Validated by QQI
Procedures for focused reviews of the implementation and effectiveness of provider QA and ATP procedures
Procedures for focused reviews of the implementation and effectiveness of provider QA procedures were published in 2017. The document sets out procedures that will be followed where QQI identifies the need to initiate a focused review of the implementation and effectiveness of a provider’s quality assurance procedures under section 34(1)(b) of the 2012 Act.
This document has now been revised and is presented as a white paper for consultation. The proposed revisions add to the statutory grounding for focused reviews of the implementation and effectiveness of a provider’s QA procedures by invoking section 57 of the 2012 Act, which relate to reviews of procedures for access, transfer and progression. The changes proposed are minor, technical ones and concern:
- expansion of the document title,
- the addition of objectives for review that incorporate access, transfer and progression procedures,
- the potential for a review to be grounded in section 57 of the 2012 Act, and
- the inclusion of references to QA and/or access, transfer and progression procedures.
We invite stakeholders, including education providers, policymakers, and the public, to review the white papers and provide your feedback to us during the consultation period. In addition to seeking submissions, QQI will be conducting some focus group discussions with providers.
Consultation Period: Monday 31 March – Friday 27 June 2025.
How to Provide Feedback: email submission, noting the specific white paper in the subject line, ‘feedback on...’ to consultations@qqi.ie.
Revised Draft Component Specification for Social Policy at NFQ Level 5
This consultation seeks views on the appropriateness of the Revised Draft Component Specification for Social Policy at NFQ Level 5.
This Revised Draft Component Specification for Social Policy would be an additional elective in the pool of the Applied Social Studies major award 5M2181.
After the consultation, the final version of the revised draft will undergo QQI’s governance process and, once approved by QQI’s Polices and Standards Committee, will be published on QQI website.
Consultation Arrangements
This consultation will remain open for 4 weeks commencing on 26/03/2025 and ending on 24/04/2025. Below you will find a link to the Revised Draft Component Specification for Social Policy at NFQ Level 5.
Revised Draft Component Specification for Social Policy
QQI looks forward to receiving your feedback at consultation@qqi.ie. Please mention the consultation title in the subject line of your email, and ensure you have provided your name, title/role, and in what capacity you are responding.
Green Paper on QQI's Access, Transfer and Progression Policy
Context
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 empowers QQI to develop policies and criteria in relation to access, transfer and progression (ATP). QQI’s current ATP Policy is a restatement from 2015 of the ATP policy first established in 2003.
In 2023, a review examining ATP practice in Ireland commissioned by QQI was published. This review identified barriers created by current approaches and practices to ATP and provided a number of recommendations to improve ATP practice in Ireland. In order to act on these recommendations QQI is proposing that the ATP policy be updated.
This Green Paper outlines a proposal for an updated ATP policy. The proposed new ATP policy maintains a continued emphasis on credit systems, fair entry arrangements, information provision, and transfer and progression opportunities. The new policy also expands on key supporting elements of ATP central to creating clear pathways for learners.
Audience
QQI are keen to get diverse and varied perspectives on the proposed new ATP policy as well as to hear examples of barriers to accessing ATP pathways as well as examples of good practice.
Feedback can also be emailed to nfq@qqi.ie with the subject line: Public Consultation QQI Green Paper QQI’s Access Transfer and Progression Policy.
The consultation deadline has been extended to Friday 25 April 2025.
You can read the green paper below.
QQI Green Paper on QQI’s Access, Transfer and Progression Policy
Following the end of the consultation process, QQI will publish the findings, a thematic analysis of the feedback and our response. The insights gathered will inform the development of a White Paper, with the goal of implementing a robust ATP policy that supports diverse learner needs and aligns with Ireland's evolving educational landscape.
