Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have all learned from the past, which is why the Bill seeks to regulate and license construction, quarrying and related activities through a single designated body. As we ramp up our efforts to tackle the housing crisis, we need to ensure that health and safety and correct regulations are strengthened. Houses that were let down by faulty building supplies should be able to be remedied regardless of where they are located. I would like this suggestion to be considered. I know of cases in my area that are outside the current scheme. Admittedly, there are not many, but the scheme needs to be re-examined.

The Bill will establish a designated licensing authority for the sector, including a licensing model for tutors and a register of licensed and approved training organisations. It also proposes to introduce a skills-based system of assessment, including recognition of foreign qualifications, creates several new offences, and provides for complaints and investigations around fraud or non-compliance by a tutor or approved training organisation.

The Bill establishes on a legislative basis safety awareness requirements for workers in the construction sector. It is important that we have come this far. Lives matter. We have seen the results of the absence of safety. It is vital that we embed health and safety in the training of our construction workers if we are to enhance their safety on site. This is for their own protection.

The establishment of a licensing model for workers that is based on assessment and replaces the accredited training model is important. This is a reward for all those workers who are doing a great job. The introduction of a skills-based assessment with no distinction on the basis of environment, thus amalgamating the assessment and licensing process for construction and quarrying activities, is positive.

It is vital that we create offences of fraudulently obtaining a Safepass card for a worker or a tutor or a licence or approval for a training organisation, non-compliance by tutors and approved training organisations with a code of practice, and associated offences for contractors and employers. We need the term "cowboy builders" to be a thing of the past. I am sure we have all heard it. I know many upstanding members of the sector who have been tarred by unscrupulous characters. Today's construction industry is a better one because of regulation. This Bill will strengthen that.

Our need to build more houses is unquestionably urgent, but I would also like to discuss apprenticeships. Carlow is a university town. We are lucky to have university status in the south east. The Minister of State is working on integrating Carlow College into the university. We need to ensure that our skilled tradespeople do not leave the country. We must have enough tradespeople to build all the houses we need, so we must look after them. Many young people have a large number of opportunities, but we need many more people in the construction industry. It is important that we work with them and do our best to ensure that. The Minister of State is dedicated to doing this – I have spoken to him about the matter several times. His commitment in this respect is welcome, but we need to work on the issue more.

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