Q: 5. Further Education and Training Awards Council, Dublin 3

A: FETAC's Response

to the

Discussion Document

of the

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland

July 2003

1. Introduction

1.1 The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) welcomes the Authority's Discussion Document and the opportunity to respond.

1.2 In the context of considering issues relating to the possible charging of fees by the Council, it is important to refer to the main functions of the Council.

These functions, as set out in the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act, 1999, can be summarised as follows:

• Determining standards for awards
• Making awards and establishing policies and criteria for this, including after validation of programmes or on direct contact from learners
• Recognising awards
• Validating programmes and establishing policies and criteria for this
• Monitoring and evaluating the quality of programmes, agreeing quality assurance procedures and reviewing the effectiveness of such procedures and their implementation
• Ensuring that providers establish procedures for the assessment of learners that are fair and consistent
• Promoting its awards
• Facilitating and assisting the Authority
• Consulting with and advising the Minister
• Ensuring that providers implement the procedures for access, transfer and progression determined by the Authority
• Delegating authority to make awards and associated review processes
• Satisfy itself in relation to arrangements for the protection of learners.

FETAC is required, in discharging these functions, to deliver a quality service to the various stakeholders in the further education and training sector in Ireland. These stakeholders include learners, providers, and the social partners.

1.3 The Council, in exercising its functions under the Act, shall have regard to the objects of the Act as specified in Section 4 of the Act (Appendix 1). In particular, the Council is required to

• promote the quality of further education and training
• facilitate and promote lifelong learning
• contribute to the realisation of national education and training policies having regard to the requirements of industry, including agriculture, business, tourism, trade, the professions and the public service

1.4 The Government's recently agreed Social Partnership Agreement 2003 - 2005, Sustaining Progress, identifies the attainment of a Knowledge Based Economy and Society by Ireland (4.4.1) and the promotion of lifelong learning (4.4.2) as specific actions in building, maintaining and sharing economic development and prosperity. The further education and training sector, in general, and the Council in particular, have a key role to play in delivering on these actions. Furthermore, the Council subscribes fully to the Agreement's underpinning philosophy in relation to social inclusion and personal and community development.

2. Current position

2.1 The two sources of income for FETAC at present are State Grant and Fee Income.

The current balance of income for FETAC is approximately

State Grant 93%
Fee Income 7%

2.2 Fee income comprises Candidate Entry Fees for FETAC (NCVA) Level 2 and 3 for the function of making FETAC awards.

The fee structure is as follows:
€

• Full Certificate or 5 modules or over 31.74
• 4 modules 19.05
• 3 modules 15.25
• 2 modules 12.70
• 1 module 6.35

Medical Card holders are not liable for fees.

VTOS and YOUTHREACH candidates are exempted for Level 2 fees.

These fees have not been increased since they were introduced in 1994.

No fees are charged for candidates at Foundation or Level 1.

2.3 It is important to note that these fees arise from NCVA processes only. No other fees are charged by FETAC at present. Other possible sources of income are outlined in Appendix 2.

3. Recommendations

3.1 Functions for which it would be appropriate to fund by way of grant include:

• Development of Policies and Criteria for
  - determining standards for awards
  - making and recognising awards
  - promotion of awards
• Facilitating and assisting the Authority
• Consulting with and advising the Minister
• General management and administration costs.

3.2 The Minister, in determining the balance of income for FETAC between State Grant and Fee Income, should take into account

• the legal requirement on FETAC to carry out its functions
• the legal requirement on FETAC to promote the objects of the Act
• the particular characteristics of the emerging further education and training sector in Ireland
• the principles of social inclusion as espoused in the government policy
  document 'Sustaining Progress'.
• the commitments entered into by FETAC as set out in its Strategic Plan 2003 - 2006 and agreed by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.

3.3 The Minister in determining the level of any fees to be charged by FETAC, whether to learners or providers, should ensure that such fees do not become a barrier to improving access to national awards.

3.4 Account should to be taken of the administrative costs associated with the collection of fees. Furthermore, the value of administering a process which could involve a transfer of funds from one State sector to another requires evaluation.

3.5 Overall, the fee structure determined should be equitable, transparent and administratively efficient.

Appendix 1

Objects of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999

(1) The objects of the Act are as follows:

(a) to establish and develop standards of knowledge, skill or competence;

(b) to promote the quality of further education and training and higher education and training;

(c) to provide a system for co-ordinating and comparing education and training awards;

(d) to promote and maintain procedures for transfer and progression;

(e) to facilitate lifelong learning through the promotion of access and opportunities for all learners, including learners with special educational and training needs;

(f) to promote the recognition of knowledge, skill or competence acquired through research, adult and continuing education and training and employment;

(g) to contribute to the realisation of national education and training policies and objectives and, in particular, to meeting the education and training requirements of industry, including agriculture, business, tourism, trade, the professions and the public service;

(h) to promote co-operation between providers of programmes of education and training and industry, including agriculture, business, tourism, trade, the professions and the public service;

(i) to promote recognition outside the State of awards made by bodies in the State and recognition in the State of awards made by bodies outside the Sate;

(j) having regard to the traditions of providers of education and training, to promote diversity in education and training between further education and training and higher education and training and within each of these; and

(k) to contribute to the realisation of national policy and objectives in relation to the extension of bi-lingualism in Irish society and, in particular, the achievement of a greater use of the Irish language and to contribute to the promotion of the distinctive cultures of Ireland.

(2) Every body and person concerned in the implementation of this Act shall have regard in exercising their functions under the Act to the objects specified in subsection (1).

Appendix 2

FETAC Income

The current position in relation to FETAC's Income is outlined in Section 2 above.

Other possible sources of Fee Income for FETAC include:

1. Recognising Other Awards: an administration fee to applicants could be charged.

2. Validation and Quality Assurance: fees for processing applications and for monitoring/appeals could be charged to providers.

3. Delegated Authority to make awards: a fee for the Delegation of Authority to make awards could be charged for having the application processed and agreed.
(Applicable only to F

---

>>HomeCorporateFees ReviewSubmissions Recieved

---