Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA)

Lobbying Organisation Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA)

Date published 21 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Engagement with DFHERIS/Minister for FHERIS regarding the proposed Learner Protection Fund and transition from existing QQI-approved Protection of Enrolled Learner arrangements. HECA raised concerns regarding proportionality, SME impacts, consultation, insurance and administrative costs, academic bonding, the Grant Thornton Report, and the evidence base for the proposed approach.

Intended results To secure meaningful engagement on the design and implementation of the Learner Protection Fund, including consideration of existing QQI-approved learner protection arrangements and continuation of the HECA PEL Scheme, with greater transparency on policy development, insurance and administrative costs, SME and proportionality impacts, and a legally proportionate, evidence-based approach to learner protection policy.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Patricia O'Sullivan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Meeting (1)

QQA Act 2019 - DFHERIS Stakeholder Engagement Process re Protection of Enrolled Learners - Follow up Meeting with DFHERIS members. Present Members of DFHERIS and HECA Board. Meeting was online.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)