A Message from the Managing Director
Dear Learner,
Thanks again for choosing DCM Learning to help you progress your career. We understand the concerns that learners may have with regard to sharing their personal data and that is why we have prepared this collection of FAQ's to assist you in highlighting and addressing questions about your personal data.
DCM Learning collects Personal Data from Learners on behalf of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the body which issues you with your award under the Common Awards System (CAS). This Personal Data includes your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), your date of birth and your gender. We also collect and store other Personal Data about you such as your e-mail and postal address where relevant. All Personal Data collected and stored by us is governed by the Data Protection Acts (“the Acts”).
DCM Learning is very cognisant of its obligations under the Acts and its duty of confidentiality to Learners who disclose Personal Data to us. We are committed to ensuring that all Learners understand the reasons why we collect Personal Data from them, how the information will be used, how it will be stored, and to whom it will be disclosed.
If you have any questions or concerns which are not covered in this document please feel free to contact us directly and we will be more than happy to discuss these with you.
Questions Related to Course Submissions
Below is a list of the top questions that learners ask.
1. What Personal Data does DCM Learning collect on behalf of QQI?
DCM Learning is required to collect certain Personal Data to facilitate the processing of Learners for QQI awards. The Personal Data includes Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN), Date of Birth and Gender
2. Why do you need to know my PPSN?
The PPS Number (PPSN) allows QQI to have a unique identifier for each registered learner and facilitates learners' access, transfer and progression through further education. Therefore, QQI has requested that all QQI Providers (including DCM Learning) register all learners seeking QQI certification or leading to QQI Awards, using their PPSN.
3. Is QQI authorised to collect my PPSN?
Legislation governing the use of Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) is contained in the Social Welfare Acts. Only Specified Bodies named in the Social Welfare Acts can use the PPSN and it is an offence for any person or body to request or hold a record of a PPSN unless they are permitted by law (the Social Welfare Acts) to do so. QQI is an authorised body under the Social Welfare Acts to collect and use PPSNs.
4. How can I confirm that QQI is permitted to collect my PPSN?
The Department of Social Protection maintains a register of all Specified Bodies who are authorised to collect PPSNs. QQI is registered under “Other” Organisations. Please click on the following URL for further details.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/PPSN-Register-of-Users---Other-Users.aspx#qualifications
5. If QQI is authorised to collect my PPSN, why am I disclosing it to DCM Learning?
QQI is a Specified Body under the Acts (refer to FAQ 3 above) and is permitted to collect PPSNs from Learners. QQI has delegated this role to its QQI Providers (including DCM Learning) and there is a specific reference to this in QQI’s entry in the register of Specified Bodies (maintained by the Department of Social Protection – Refer FAQ 4 above).
6. Can I just disclose my PPSN to QQI?
No. While QQI is the body that ultimately uses your PPSN, they do not collect PPSNs from Learners. This task is delegated to QQI Providers (DCM Learning in this instance). They will not collect PPSN details from you and will redirect you to us to provide us with the necessary information. Please refer to FAQ 13 for further details.
7. What happens if I don't want to disclose my PPSN?
If you choose not to disclose your PPSN to us we will not be able to progress your award with QQI and you will not receive a QQI certificate.
8. Why do you need my date of birth?
QQI requires dates of birth for statistical purposes. We are required to provide your date of birth along with other required Personal Data (PPSN and Gender) when submitting your grade to QQI for certification. Please refer to FAQ 13 for further details.
9. Can I disclose my date of birth directly to QQI?
No, unfortunately not. Please refer to FAQ 13 below for further details.
10. Why do you need to know my gender?
QQI requires your gender for statistical purposes. We are required to provide your gender along with other required Personal Data (PPSN and date of birth) when submitting your grade to QQI for certification. Please refer to FAQ 13 for further details.
11. Can I disclose my gender directly to QQI?
No, unfortunately not. Please refer to FAQ 13 below for further details.
12. Why do you need my postal address?
We need your postal address to post your QQI parchment/certificate to you on the successful completion of your QQI award.
13. Can I disclose my personal details to QQI directly?
No, unfortunately not. QQI is not in a position to collect any Personal Data (PPSNs, dates of birth, gender) directly from Learners and has delegated this responsibility to QQI Providers such as DCM Learning. All Personal Data is provided to QQI by us through their secure online system. All Personal Data required by QQI must be disclosed to us. Otherwise, we cannot submit your grade to QQI for certification.
14. How long will DCM Learning store my personal data?
All Personal Data provided held by us will only be retained until your grade has been submitted to QQI for certification. All Personal Data will be destroyed once you have received your QQI certificate.
