Quality Assurance (QA) measures were introduced into the Irish Higher Education Sector by the Universities Act, 1997 and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012, which are key components of quality reviews.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) oversees QA in the Irish Higher Education and Training Sector in line with two sets of guidelines, the European standards and guidelines as set out by the ESG Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area, 2015 and the Irish guidelines set out by the QQI Core Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines,

AVEPRO

St Patricks's Pontifical University is quality assured by AVEPRO. The Holy See’s Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO), established by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI on 19 September 2007, is an institution connected to the Holy See, as provided by arts. 186 and 190-191 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus. The Agency’s duty is to promote and develop a culture of quality within the academic institutions that depend directly on the Holy See and ensure they possess internationally valid quality criteria.

QQI

QQI is a state agency established by the 2012 Act, with a Board appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills.

In the area of qualifications, QQI is responsible for

• Maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Setting the standards for awards included on the NFQ
• Acting as an awarding body.

QQI validates education and training programmes and makes extensive awards in the further education and training sector, including in the Education and Training Boards.

QA Office

The SPPU QA Office was established in April 2020 and supports the SPPU Quality Working Group and Registrar’s Office in maintaining QA standards.

The org chart is as follows.

Roles and Responsibilities