Lir Privacy Policy

Policy  Lir Business Services & Training Centre Ltd
Applies to:  www.lirbusinesscentre.com and training.lirbusinesscentre.com (Lir eLearning Hub)  
Last reviewed:** 10 January 2026

1. Introduction  

Lir Business Services & Training Centre Ltd is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of the personal information entrusted to us.  

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share and protect personal information when individuals visit our websites, enquire about courses, register for training or participate in our programmes.  

It also explains the privacy arrangements relating to learner communications, including Course Enquiries, Private Chat and the Lir AI Study Buddy.  

We process personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Irish data protection legislation.  

This policy applies to:  
- Our main website: www.lirbusinesscentre.com
- Our online learning platform: training.lirbusinesscentre.com
- Course enquiries, applications and registrations
- Learner accounts and course participation
- Assessments, feedback and certification
- Tutor and administrative communications
- Associated online learning and support services  

For the personal information processed in connection with our training services, Lir Business Services & Training Centre Ltd generally acts as the data controller.  
2. Information We Collect  

We collect personal information where necessary to provide training, administer courses, respond to enquiries and meet our legal and regulatory obligations.  

Personal and Contact Information  
This may include:  
- Name, address and contact details
- Email address and telephone number
- Registration and enrolment information
- Account and login information
- Billing and payment records

Learner and Assessment Information  
We may collect and retain:  
- Course registrations and participation records
- Assignments, portfolios and assessment submissions
- Assessment results and tutor feedback
- Attendance and engagement records
- Certification and quality-assurance records
- Learner support requests and correspondence .

Communication Information  
We collect communications submitted directly to Lir through our websites and communication channels.  

These may include:  
- Course Enquiries messages
- Private Chat messages
- Emails and contact forms
- WhatsApp and text messages
- Complaints, feedback and support requests
- Communications relating to assessment or course administration  

Technical Information  
Our websites and service providers may collect technical information, including:  

- IP address
- Browser type and device information
- Login activity
- Website usage and navigation
- Session information
- Cookies and similar technologies.

Special Category Information  
Where necessary and permitted by law, we may process limited special category information, for example where a learner voluntarily provides relevant health or disability information to request reasonable accommodation or additional support.  Such information will be handled with appropriate safeguards and access restrictions.  

3. How We Collect Information  
We collect information when individuals:  

- Visit our websites.
- Submit an enquiry or registration form.
- Purchase or enrol on a course.
- Create an account on the Lir eLearning Hub.
- Submit coursework or assessment evidence.
- Contact Lir through email, telephone, Private Chat or Course Enquiries.
- Request learner support or reasonable accommodation.
- Participate in online training, examinations or certification activities.  

We may also receive information from relevant third parties, including payment processors, technical service providers and certification bodies, where necessary and lawful.  

4. How We Use Personal Information  
We process personal information for purposes including:  
- Responding to enquiries.
- Processing course registrations and payments.
- Providing access to training and learning resources.
- Delivering tutor support and assessment feedback.
- Managing learner progress and attendance.
- Administering examinations and certification.
- Maintaining appropriate quality-assurance records.
- Responding to complaints and learner concerns.
- Meeting legal, financial and regulatory obligations.
- Maintaining the security and operation of our websites.
- Providing relevant course information and marketing communications where permitted by law.  

Personal information will not be used for purposes incompatible with those for which it was collected unless permitted or required by law.  

5. Lawful Basis for Processing  
Depending on the purpose, we process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:  

Performance of a contract: Where processing is necessary to provide a course or service requested or purchased.  
Legal obligation: Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable legislation or regulatory requirements.  
Legitimate interests: Where processing is necessary for legitimate organisational purposes, such as responding to enquiries, maintaining appropriate records, protecting systems and providing learner support, provided these interests are not overridden by individuals' rights.  
Consent: Where consent is required, including certain marketing activities or other specific processing arrangements.  Where special category information is processed, we will identify an appropriate additional legal condition.  Individuals may withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.  

6. Learner Communications – Lir eLearning Hub  
Lir provides several communication and learner-support facilities.  
These facilities have different purposes and privacy arrangements.  
The distinction between the communication facilities is explained during Course Induction and through information displayed on the Lir eLearning Hub.  

6.1 Course Enquiries – Help Bell Icon  The Course Enquiries facility is intended for individuals wishing to contact Lir about courses, registration, administration or other training-related matters.  
It is accessed through the Help Bell icon.  

Course Enquiries is not the Lir AI Study Buddy and is not a private AI conversation facility.

Messages submitted through Course Enquiries are received by Lir and may be viewed by authorised staff responsible for managing and responding to enquiries.  These communications may be used to:  
- Respond to requests for information.
- Provide course and administrative assistance.
- Address learner concerns and complaints.
- Maintain appropriate communication records.
- Support the delivery and administration of training services.  

The notice displayed in this area explains that the Help Bell is for Course Enquiries ONLY and is not the Lir AI Study Buddy.

6.2 Private Chat and Tutor Communications  
Registered learners may communicate directly with tutors or designated Lir staff through the Private Chat facility.  

Private Chat is intended for:  
- Individual learner support
- Questions about coursework
- Assessment guidance
- Tutor feedback
- Course-related assistance  

These communications are not publicly visible to other learners.  However, they may be accessible to authorised Lir personnel responsible for learner support, administration, quality assurance or resolving concerns.  

Private Chat should not be confused with the Lir AI Study Buddy.

6.3 Lir AI Study Buddy  
The Lir AI Study Buddy is an additional AI-powered learning-support resource made available to registered learners.  It is designed to assist learners with:  
- Understanding course topics
- Revising learning material
- Exploring concepts and terminology
- Developing understanding through questions and explanations
- Supporting independent study  

The Lir AI Study Buddy is accessed through a separate link on the Contact Bar of the learner's Course Curriculum page.  

The Lir AI Study Buddy operates separately from Course Enquiries and Private Chat.  

The Lir AI Study Buddy is provided through ChatGPT, operated by OpenAI.  Learners access the Study Buddy through their own ChatGPT accounts.  Lir Business Services & Training Centre does not have access to, and cannot view, individual conversations learners have with the Lir AI Study Buddy through their own ChatGPT accounts.  This does not mean that conversations are inaccessible to OpenAI. Information entered into ChatGPT is processed under OpenAI's applicable privacy arrangements and account settings.  Learners should familiarise themselves with OpenAI's Privacy Policy and data controls.  OpenAI Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy/  Learners should avoid entering unnecessary personal, financial, medical or other sensitive information into AI conversations.  

The Lir AI Study Buddy is an optional learning-support facility and does not replace direct tutor assistance, formal assessment feedback or Lir's complaints procedure.

6.4 Summary of Communication Facilities  
Course Enquiries: Messages submitted through the Help Bell are received by Lir and may be viewed by authorised staff.  
Private Chat: Messages are intended for individual communication with tutors or designated staff and may be accessible to authorised Lir personnel.
Lir AI Study Buddy: Conversations take place separately through ChatGPT. Lir cannot view individual conversations conducted through learners' own ChatGPT accounts.  Learners who wish to contact Lir directly should use Course Enquiries, Private Chat, email or another designated communication channel rather than the AI Study Buddy.  

7. Learner Complaints and Privacy Enquiries  
Learners are entitled to request information about Lir's complaints procedure or raise concerns about any aspect of their learning experience.  Requesting information about the complaints procedure does not, in itself, constitute a formal complaint.  Complaints will be handled in accordance with Lir's applicable complaints procedures.  Personal information submitted in connection with complaints or concerns will be accessed only where necessary for legitimate organisational purposes and handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.  Learners may contact Lir regarding their personal information or the handling of their communications at:  training@lirbusinesscentre.com.

8. Website Hosting and Online Learning Services  
Lir uses third-party technology providers to support the delivery of its services.  
Wix Website  Our main website is hosted through Wix.com.  Wix provides website hosting, storage, website functionality and related services.  Information submitted through the website may be processed and stored through Wix systems in accordance with the applicable contractual and data protection arrangements.

Lir eLearning Hub  Our online learning platform, the Lir eLearning Hub, is operated using a third-party learning management system.  This system supports:  - Learner accounts and course access - Learning resources - Assessment submissions - Course progress - Tutor and learner communications - Course administration  The platform provider processes relevant information to support the operation and delivery of these services, subject to applicable data protection arrangements.  

Other Service Providers  Depending on the services used, personal information may also be processed by providers supporting:  - Online payments - Video conferencing and live training - Email communications - Cloud storage - Video hosting - Website analytics - Technical administration  These may include services provided by Wix, Microsoft, Zoom, Stripe, PayPal, Google and other contracted service providers.  The precise providers involved depend on the service being used.  We require service providers acting on our behalf to handle personal information in accordance with applicable data protection obligations.  

9. Payment Information  
Where learners purchase courses online, payments may be processed through approved third-party payment providers.  
Payment providers are responsible for processing relevant payment information in accordance with their applicable security and privacy arrangements.  
Lir may retain transaction records necessary for accounting, course administration and legal compliance.  
We do not require learners to submit payment-card information through Private Chat or the Lir AI Study Buddy.  

10. Sharing and Disclosure of Information  
We may share personal information where necessary with:  

- Authorised Lir staff and tutors
- Contracted technology and service providers
- Relevant certification and awarding bodies, including QQI, where applicable
- External Authenticators and other authorised quality-assurance personnel, where necessary
- Professional advisers, including accountants, auditors, insurers and legal advisers
- Regulatory or public authorities where disclosure is legally required  Information will only be shared where there is an appropriate purpose and lawful basis.

 We do not sell learners' personal information.  We do not disclose personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes without an appropriate lawful basis.  

11. International Transfers  
Some technology providers may process or store personal information outside the European Economic Area (EEA).  Where international transfers occur, we will ensure that an appropriate transfer mechanism or safeguard is in place, as required by applicable data protection legislation.  Such safeguards may include:  
- European Commission adequacy decisions
- Approved Standard Contractual Clauses
- Other legally recognised transfer mechanisms  
Further information about applicable international transfers and safeguards may be requested by contacting Lir.  

12. Data Security  
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, loss, misuse or disclosure. These measures include, where appropriate:  
- Access restrictions
- Secure account authentication
- Appropriate confidentiality arrangements
- Use of reputable technology providers
- Secure storage and system administration
- Procedures for managing suspected data breaches  

Access to personal information is limited to authorised individuals who require it for their responsibilities.  Where a personal data breach occurs, Lir will assess and manage the incident in accordance with applicable data protection requirements, including notification obligations where required.

13. Data Retention  
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.  
Retention requirements may vary according to the nature of the information and the applicable legal, financial, certification or quality-assurance obligations.  These may include:  
- Course registration and administration records
- Learner assessment and certification records
- Financial and transaction records
- Tutor communications and learner support records
- Complaints and related correspondence
- Technical and security records  

Relevant financial and accounting records may be retained for six years or longer where required by applicable law.  Assessment and certification records will be retained in accordance with relevant awarding-body requirements and Lir's approved record-retention arrangements.  Where information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted, anonymised or otherwise disposed of appropriately.  

14. Your Rights Under GDPR  
Depending on the circumstances, individuals have the right to:  
- Request access to personal information held about them.
- Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Request erasure of personal information where applicable.
- Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Request data portability where applicable.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.  

Requests may be submitted to:  training@lirbusinesscentre.com  We may request reasonable information to verify an individual's identity before disclosing personal information.  We will respond to requests within the timeframes required by applicable data protection legislation, normally within one month, subject to permitted extensions.  Individuals also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission.  Website: https://www.dataprotection.ie  

15. Marketing Communications  
We may send information about courses, training opportunities and other relevant services where permitted by applicable law.  Where consent is required, we will obtain it before sending marketing communications.  Individuals may opt out of marketing communications at any time by using an unsubscribe link or contacting us directly.  Opting out of marketing communications will not prevent us from sending necessary administrative communications relating to an active course, registration or service.  

16. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our websites use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, user sessions and analytics.  Cookies may be used to:  
- Maintain secure login sessions
- Remember user preferences
- Support website functionality
- Measure website traffic and performance
- Improve the user experience  

Some cookies are essential for the operation of the websites.  Where required by law, consent will be requested before non-essential cookies are placed.  Users may manage cookie preferences through the relevant website controls and browser settings.  Further information about cookies used on the Lir eLearning Hub is available at:  https://training.lirbusinesscentre.com/cookiepolicy.

17. Third-Party Websites and Services  
Our websites may contain links to third-party websites and applications.  These services may operate under their own privacy policies and terms.  We encourage users to review the relevant privacy information before submitting personal information to third-party services.  This includes ChatGPT, which is used to provide the Lir AI Study Buddy.  

18. Children and Age Requirements  
Our services are intended for individuals who meet the relevant age and entry requirements for the course or service concerned.  Where personal information relating to a minor is processed, appropriate safeguards and any necessary consent arrangements will be applied in accordance with applicable law.  Third-party services, including ChatGPT, may have their own minimum age requirements.  

19. Contacting Lir About Privacy  
For questions concerning this Privacy Policy, the processing of personal information or the exercise of data protection rights, please email: training@lirbusinesscentre.com  Website: www.lirbusinesscentre.com  

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy  
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, our services, technology or data-processing practices.  The latest version will be published on our websites.  Where changes are material and notification is required, we will take appropriate steps to inform affected individuals.  

**Last reviewed: 10 January 2026**