2 close states:
There are NO credits available towards an EASA Part-FCL IR for holding an ICAO IR, unless you hold an ICAO ATPL whereby you can go down the ATPL Validation/Conversion process (providing you meet the criteria for issue of an EASA Part-FCL ATPL).
Not quite true:
Article 8 of the Aircrew Regulation states:
Conditions for the acceptance of licences from third countries
1. Without prejudice to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and where there are no agreements concluded between the Union and a third country covering pilot licensing, Member States may accept third country licences, and associated medical certificates issued by or on behalf of third countries, in accordance with the provisions of Annex III to this Regulation.
2. Applicants for Part–FCL licences already holding at least an equivalent licence, rating or certificate issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention by a third country shall comply with all the requirements of Annex I to this Regulation, except that the requirements of course duration, number of lessons and specifictraining hours may be reduced.
3. The credit given to the applicant shall be determined by the Member State to which the pilot applies on the basis of a recommendation from an approved training organisation.
The CAA has stated to me in writing:
If a student has already started before 17th September he can continue. From 17th September it will be for ATOs to make a proposal in each specific case depending upon an assessment of the pilot. If that proposal is equivalent to past practice it is likely that we will accept it, but at present we do not intend at present to publish specific terms.
So it looks as though the 15 hour IR conversion course can continue, possibly even less than this for very experienced pilots. It will be up to the ATO to determine the number of hours and to get the CAA's permission to do that level of training.