QQI was established under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, an act of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament). It is a public body reporting to the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It is partly funded by government and partly from fees for its services. QQI is independent in the performance of its functions under the Act. Various statutory instruments identified in the Act have been approved by the Minister or by QQI.