43.— (1) The framework of qualifications established and maintained by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland under section 7(a) of the Act of 1999 shall, notwithstanding the repeal of that section by section 6(1), continue in being under this Act and shall—

(a) be known as the National Framework of Qualifications (in this Act referred to as the “Framework”), and

(b) be kept and maintained by the Authority in accordance with this section.

(2) The Authority shall—

F27[(a) review and further develop the policies and criteria on which the Framework is based,

(b) promote, maintain, further develop and implement the Framework as a system—

(i) of levels and types of awards based on standards of knowledge, skill or competence to be acquired by a learner to entitle the learner to an award at a particular level, and of the type concerned, within the Framework, and

(ii) for the development, recognition and award of qualifications in the State,]

(c) review the operation of the Framework,

(d) promote and facilitate the use by providers and awarding bodies of statements of what an enrolled learner is expected to know, understand, and where appropriate, demonstrate, on completion of a programme of education and training, and

(e) amend the Framework from time to time as it considers necessary taking into account paragraphs (a) to (d).

F28[(2A) Sections 55A to 55I make provision for the process by which an award acquires the status of being an award that is included within the Framework.]

F27[(3) Each designated awarding body and listed awarding body, shall, in respect of each award that the body makes that is an award included within the Framework:

(a) take such steps (whether by way of co-operation or consultation with the Authority or otherwise) as will facilitate the performance by the Authority of its functions in so far as those functions relate to awards included within the Framework (referred to in paragraph (b) as "relevant functions");

(b) provide to the Authority such information as the Authority may from time to time require for the performance by it of relevant functions.

(4) Each designated awarding body shall ensure, in so far as is reasonably practicable, that each award that it makes is an award that is included within the Framework.

(5) Each

(a) designated awarding body,

(b) provider to whom the Authority has delegated authority to make awards, and

(c) body that makes an award under the Education Act 1998 that stands specified by the Minister to be an award that falls within this paragraph,

shall cooperate with the Authority in the implementation of policies and criteria established under section 55E(1)(b).]

F28[(6) Each designated awarding body and each listed awarding body shall, in respect of each award the body makes that is an award included within the Framework, ensure that a learner acquires the standard of knowledge, skill or competence associated with the level of that award within the Framework before and when the award is made.

(7) Subsection (8) applies to each provider of a programme of education and training, being a programme that leads to an award that is an award included within the Framework.

(8) In respect of each such programme, its provider shall ensure that an enrolled learner acquires the standard of knowledge, skill or competence associated with the level of the award concerned within the Framework before the award is made.]