A private Dublin college at the centre of a controversy over a social care course it runs has met the regulatory authority for the sector today.
Dublin Business School and the health and social care professional regulator CORU discussed the fact that the college's degree course in social care does not meet the standard required for recognition by the regulator.
Earlier this month, students studying the subject were informed that the course they had paid fees for and dedicated their time to would not qualify them to work as social care workers because accreditation had not been granted by CORU.
Around 80 students are affected.
They have paid fees of up to €6,000 annually for the three-year programme.
This week many of them expressed shock, anger and frustration at the news that their course cannot be accredited.
After today’s meeting Dublin Business School said it had put a number of options to CORU and it would discuss these with students at a meeting scheduled for Monday evening.
CORU told RTÉ News that the meeting had been sought by the college and had been facilitated by CORU "in line with its ongoing commitment to work with and provide support to any educators undergoing a programme approval process".
It said it had provided further guidance to DBS on its standards and what would be required in order for courses to meet these required standards.
The regulatory agency said there were currently no applications by DBS for programme approval by CORU, following the withdrawal of its application for recognition in July.
Earlier this week, Dublin Business School said its main priority was to find a solution for students.
It said it was working through a number of options, one of which may include reimbursement of fees.
CORU said its legislative mandate was to protect the public by ensuring that education bodies deliver qualifications that prepare professionals to provide safe and appropriate care.
