In the dissertation the degree of investigation of named problems in the national educational space is reflected. Analysis of sources has shown the interest of Ukrainian scientists focused on many aspects of quality assurance (QA): philosophical, psychological, pedagogical, qualimetric, economic, etc. The similarities of different approaches to the category "QA System of Higher Education" are pointed out. The analysis of foreign scientists' works in the context of the researched problem is made. The causes of exacerbation of QA problems in European higher education are characterized: appearing of massive higher education, the inefficiency of centralized forms of governance, the emergence of international exchange programs, the need for standardization. The main European trends in QA processes of higher education are pointed out: general increasing of interest in the quality of higher education, autonomy of higher educational institutions, standardization of educational outcomes through the implementation of national and European qualifications frameworks, development of mechanisms for extra-verification by independent experts, cooperation between all stakeholders, creation of different agencies, organizations, associations for QA. In our research the historical background of the development of Irish QA system in the context of the relationships of all components of lifelong learning is represented. During the studied period the Irish QA system of higher education was to overcome many negative factors: centuries of colonial exploitation by Great Britain, artificial partition of the country, conservative policy of various parties, interference of the church, lack of a consistent government policy, lack of access to education for the majority of people, etc. Saving the positive traditions (polyphonic, multicultural, autonomy) and the implementation of the best European trends (democracy, accessibility, permanency, openness, transparency, integrativity) enabled Ireland to overcome the crisis in educational sphere. The main trends in Irish QA system's development are: equal access to higher education, implementation of free education system, increasing degree of autonomy of universities, delegating the management to the non-governmental structure, increasing the status of technological colleges. The organizational bases for higher education QA, the development of national qualification frameworks, the use and monitoring of the procedures for QA in Irish higher education institutions in integrative aspect are characterised. The QA system for higher education which started effective functioning in Ireland since 1997, is completely consolidated with the system of QA, represented in the "European standards and directives of 2005". We conclude that the Irish system of QA in its transformations is several years ahead of the European one. The efficiency of Irish QA system is proved by positive feedback of experts from various European and international organizations: the European Universities Association (EUA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
