Invitation for expressions of interest: Members of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Appeals Panel

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Appeals Panel who will determine appeals against decisions taken by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, as amended.

It is intended that the appointments to be made by the Minister will come into effect in early 2026. The new Panel will be comprised of a Chairperson and a minimum of at least 9 Ordinary Members.

The Minister will appoint the Chairperson from among the members of the Appeals Panel. Applicants should therefore also indicate in their application if they would be willing to be considered for the position of Chairperson.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland was established in 2012 and its general functions derive from the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012. In 2019, these functions were expanded by the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 to improve the quality of Ireland’s education and training system. Full details on QQI are available from the website https://www.qqi.ie/.

QQI’s functions include:

• to maintain the National Framework of Qualifications.
• to agree, and review the effectiveness of, the procedures for quality assurance of education and training established by providers.
• to validate programmes of education and training leading to QQI awards.
• to establish and review the standards of knowledge, skill or competence associated with awards.
• to make awards on behalf of learners and, where appropriate, delegate authority to make awards to providers.
• to determine and monitor policies and criteria for access, transfer and progression alongside the recognition of prior learning.
• authorise use of TrustEd Ireland Mark (international education mark) by higher education and English language education providers
• to ‘list’ awarding bodies and to include their qualifications in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) allowing awards made by private, professional and non-national awarding bodies, where appropriate, in the Framework.
• to provide for a national scheme for the protection of enrolled learners.
• to regulate academic integrity.

In addition, QQI is responsible for a number of other functions:

• serves as the nominated national coordinating authority for Europass (an online platform that offers resources to support those working and learning across Europe), ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) and as the National Reference Point for vocational education and training.
• operates NARIC Ireland as a point of contact for all queries concerning the recognition of international awards.
• provides academic advice on the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland and the recognition of Irish qualifications abroad.
• maintains Qualifax, which provides information on approximately over 12,000 programmes of education and training.
• advises the Minister in relation to national policy on the quality assurance and enhancement of tertiary education and training.
• provides advice to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science and to the Department of Justice regarding the regulatory reforms to the student immigration system for international education.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Duties will include the following:    

• Review of the decisions of QQI in accordance with 2012 Act, as amended, and with S.I. No. 545/2025. 
• Organisation and management of the appeal within the appropriate procedures;
  • Ensuring the appeal is dealt with fully, speedily, and in a fair manner.
  • Communicating the determination of an appeal to the appellant and to QQI.   
    

Functions of the appeal panel

Section 68 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012 provides for an independent Appeals Panel to consider appeals of decisions made by QQI. 

The 2012 Act also provides for different procedures for appeals under different provisions of the Act (Section 70(2)).  These procedures, and the underpinning activity required of the members of the Appeals Panel, will vary in complexity, depending on the activity/service which is the subject of the appeal and the grounds of appeal. 

S.I. No. 545/2025 - Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (Appeals) Regulations 2025 sets out the regulations governing the appeals panel procedures.

Further information on QQI Appeals and Appeals Panel is available on its website at the following link: Appealing a decision made by QQI | Quality and Qualifications Ireland

The 2012 Act, as amended, identifies 14 activities undertaken by QQI which can lead to an appeal.  These activities are: 

Quality Assurance

1. The Authority may refuse to approve the proposed quality assurance procedures submitted by a relevant provider, other than an established university, under Section 30. The provider concerned may appeal against that refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 31(5))
2. The Authority may withdraw approval (Section 36(4)) of quality assurance procedures agreed under section 28.  The relevant provider concerned may appeal against that withdrawal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 36(6))

Validation

3. Where the Authority refuses to validate a programme of education and training, the provider of the programme may appeal against the refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 45(4))

4.Where the Authority withdraws its validation of a programme of education and training under Section 45(3), the provider may appeal against that withdrawal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 47(5))

5. Where the Authority withdraws a validation of a programme due to either the provider not offering the programme or no learner has been enrolled for 2 years the provider may appeal against the withdrawal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 47(8)) 

Delegation of Authority

6. Where the Authority refuses to delegate to a provider the authority to make an award in respect of a programme or class of programme of education and training, the provider may appeal against that refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 53(11))

7. Where the Authority delegates to the provider authority to make an award but specifies a condition in writing under subsection (4)(b) the provider may appeal against the condition to the Appeals Panel. (Section 53(12))

8. Where the Authority withdraws or varies the authority of a provider to make an award under Section 55 the provider may appeal against the withdrawal or variation to the Appeals Panel. (Section 55(7))

9. Where the Authority refuses an application for an award to be included within the National Framework of Qualifications the Awarding Body may appeal against the refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 55D(5))

Access, Transfer and Progression

10. Where the Authority withdraws approval for the procedures submitted by a relevant provider, other than a previously established university, under Section 59(4), the provider may appeal against the withdrawal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 59(6))

TrustEd Ireland (International Education Mark- operational 2025)

11. Where the Authority refuses to authorise the use by a provider of the TrustEd Ireland Mark, the provider concerned may appeal against that refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 61(12))

12. Where the Authority withdraws a provider’s authorisation to use the international education mark the provider may appeal against the withdrawal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 63(9))

Listed Awarding Bodies

13. Where the Authority refuses an application by an awarding body to be added to the list of Listed Awarding Bodies the awarding body may appeal against the refusal to the Appeals Panel. (Section 55C(11)

14. Where the Authority decides to delete the name of an Awarding Body (whether by way of a whole deletion or by way of a partial deletion) from the list of awarding bodies or the variation of the conditions that stand imposed under section 55F(7)(f), the Awarding Body may appeal against the decision to the Appeals Panel. 55H(10)

Terms of Appointment

• Successful applicants will be placed on a panel of at least nine ordinary members and a Chairperson.
• The Chairperson of the Appeals Panel will appoint an Appeals Board of 3 persons from among the members of the Panel to determine the appeal, at his/her discretion. He/She will also appoint the Chairperson of an Appeals Board from among these members and that Chairperson shall regulate the procedures of the Board.
• Appointment to the panel does not create any automatic entitlement to participate in a minimum number of appeal cases. It is not possible to estimate the number of appeals likely to arise.
• Appointments to the Appeals Panel will be for a four year term. There is a possibility of an extension of another four year period at the sole discretion of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science depending on service requirements and performance.
• Members of the Appeals Panel shall be subject to the provisions of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, as amended, and act in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for consideration as members of the QQI Appeals Panel.

Essential 

Candidates wishing to apply must demonstrate in their application evidence of experience at an appropriately senior level, in at least two of the following areas:

• knowledge of and experience in the tertiary education sector in Ireland and/or internationally, particularly in the areas of quality assurance and programme design
• knowledge of and experience in the English language education sector in Ireland and/or internationally, particularly in the area of quality assurance and programme design
• knowledge of and experience in public sector governance, regulation and policy implementation
• capacity and ability to evaluate complex information; analyse and test evidence; interpret policies, regulations, and procedural rules accurately; and reach fair, well-reasoned conclusions

In addition, it is desirable that candidates have:

• prior experience as a member of a board, committee, or similar panel
• an understanding/experience of public sector governance
• experience in a regulatory environment
• strong communication skills
• legal, financial, and/or governance expertise

The Minister shall appoint a Chairperson from among the members of the Panel. Therefore, as part of this application process, applicants should indicate whether they wish to be considered for the position of Chairperson.

The Chairperson is responsible for leadership of the Panel and ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role. The Chairperson is responsible for appointing an Appeals Board from among the members of the panel to determine an appeal.

The Chairperson should display high standards of integrity and probity.

Appeals Panel members will only receive remuneration when appointed to an Appeals Board.

If appointed to an Appeals Board, an Appeals Board member will receive remuneration, as determined by the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for such days it is determined necessary to consider an appeal.

The number of days of any appeal will depend on the nature of the appeal and the underpinning complexity. Appeals Boards members will receive remuneration for sitting days only which includes preparatory work.

For the duration of the Panel’s term of office, board members will receive a daily rate of €295.

While it is envisaged that much of the Appeals Panel’s work may be conducted remotely, where necessary, members of an Appeals Board may claim travel and subsistence expenses in respect of journeys undertaken to attend meetings of an Appeals Board and to transact its business. All expenses are paid in accordance with approved public sector rates. The remuneration is subject to tax in accordance with Revenue Commissioner’s Statement of Practice. 

It should be noted that in line with the ‘One Person One Salary’ principle, no public servant will be entitled to receive remuneration in the form of board fees, save for situations that are statutorily provided for e.g. Worker Directors.

To be considered for nomination as a Chair or an ordinary member of the Appeals Panel of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), please submit by email a completed application form, a short cover letter (maximum one page) and a curriculum vitae, no later than 3pm on 12 January 2026 to Qualifications@dfheris.gov.ie.

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

As outlined above, please indicate in the application form if you would also like to be considered for the role of Chairperson of the Appeals Panel.

Applicants will receive an acknowledgement on receipt of their application within 5 working days. Any applicants who do not receive an acknowledgement with regard to their application should contact Qualifications@dfheris.gov.ie

Please note the following points:

• An assessment panel (the “Panel”) will be convened by the Department to review applications received. The Panel will:
  • review and discuss the expressions of interest received against the specific appointment criteria for the role, as advertised in this Information Booklet;
  • assess potential candidates further once they meet the specified appointment criteria by undertaking any or all of the following steps:
    • Consideration of the written applications; and/or
    • Meeting/conference call; and/or
    • Referee checks; and/or
    • Any other selection or verification method deemed appropriate (this may include the Department requiring statutory declarations from shortlisted applicants as to the bona fides of the qualifications and experience contained in their applications).
• arrive at a shortlist of the most suitably qualified candidates (based on the information provided by the candidate) to be sent forward for consideration by the Minister.
• Please take care when submitting your expression of interest as the Assessment Panel will make its recommendation(s) to the Minister based on consideration of the documentation which you submit. It is important that you ensure your cover letter (and supporting CV) clearly specifies how your particular background and experience meets the requirements of the position as specified in this booklet. The cover letter should be no more than 2 pages. This will help ensure that the Assessment Panel is as informed as possible as to the basis and suitability of your candidature.
• You must also confirm that you do not have any conflicts of interest or legal impediment which would be likely to interfere with your ability to undertake the duties required of an Appeals Board member.
• In line with best practice as set out in the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, it should be noted that it is open to the Minister to consider suitable candidates other than those identified through this process, provided their selection meets the specified criteria.
• The Minister shall have regard to the desirability for gender balance on the Appeals Panel as the Minister considers appropriate and determines from time to time when making appointments.

Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts, 2014, applications will be treated in strict confidence. All enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process. 

Certain items of information, not specific to any individual, may be extracted from computer records for general statistical purposes.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to protecting your personal data and takes the security of your information very seriously, adhering to the principles of transparency, accountability and security of the General Data Protection Regulation.

The main purpose for which the Department requires the personal data provided by you is to consider your Expression of Interest in the context of the qualifying criteria set out in this Booklet and your suitability for the position advertised.

The personal data provided as part of this recruitment campaign will be exchanged with other persons involved in the appointment process only as required, including with officials in the Department, QQI, any other relevant person who will assist in the appointment process and the Minister.

If your application is assessed and you are considered to be suitable for consideration for appointment your curriculum vitae and cover letter, (and any supplementary information requested as part of the application process), will be retained for up to one year following the appointments. In the event that you are not successful on this occasion, your data may be retained for a period of up to one year and used in considering your suitability for other similar vacancies/roles that may arise within that period.

Additional information on the General Data Protection Regulation is available at the following link.