Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on any problems being reported surrounding the online safe pass renewals; his further views on past success rates on the in-house safe pass renewal courses versus the current pass rates on the online system now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15555/23]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of the online safe pass renewal has been a very constructive move. It is giving people a change to renew their safe pass at a time that suits them and without taking time away from work. Concerns have been raised with me about what appears to be a high fail rate. Has this been brought to the Minister's attention? Will he give an outline of the situation and the progress on it?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it has been brought to my attention. The Deputy is on to something and I thank him for highlighting it because it has enabled me to probe the system to try to resolve the matter. As the Deputy rightly says, this is a really important step and is something people have been looking for for ages, namely, moving this thing online and saving people time and hassle in terms of having to travel and take time off work. However, there was an issue that has had to be teased through and I will get to that in a moment.

The alternative option for the renewal of a safe pass card went live on 1 February. This option allows a candidate to book a test at a designated test centre. The provision of an alternative option complements the already successful tutor-led option. The safe pass tutor-led course differs from the online option insofar as the tutor-led option is based on assessments and in-person collaboration. This was an additional option. The test-based option is self-directed and requires candidates to revise relevant material before taking a test. Candidates can access the official questions and answers booklet for free and this contains the full 500 questions and answers for the test. They also have access to self-directed learning guides under each module and additional safety videos, toolbox talks, links to legislation and codes of practice.

Since the introduction of the online renewal system, the only issue has been the failure rate in comparison with the tutor-led model. It became apparent that there was quite a significant difference in the failure rate. This issue was indicated through SOLAS’s dedicated helpline. As the alternative safe pass renewal has rolled out, evidence shows most first-time testers did not access the question bank in the question and answer booklet in advance of taking the test, and the failure rate reflected this. Not to blame the learner, feedback showed that testers were not aware of the booklet being available. In response to this, SOLAS has now increased awareness of the material available for the online model, and it has also revised some of the questioning. Recent figures now show an increase of 12% in the pass rate for first-time testers, and an increase of 39% for second-time testers. As this is a new model, projections are that the pass rate will increase as candidates become more familiar with and interact more with self-directed learning.

The establishment of the online system was developed both due to the success of the tutor-led safe pass course and the feedback from industry of the evolving needs. Industry stakeholders were consulted during the development of the online renewal model, and this will continue closely as we implement that model.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for the overview on the situation. Having the online option available to people has been a very positive and constructive move given that people can do it at their own pace, in their own time without taking time away from work. It is understandable that there would be teething issues in getting a system up and running, but I do not feel it would be right for people who are using that newer system to lose out as a result if there are teething problems and if access is not that easily available on the tutorials and so on. At the very least, people should have the opportunity of a retest without fees and without being at a loss. Will the Minister outline the steps involved in getting those issues resolved? Are the issues looking like they are finally addressed at this stage? As to the plan for further tests, are people going to be charged for these?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am largely satisfied. I am satisfied but I always put a caveat in because this is a new system. There is an implementation process, no one should be complacent, and it needs to continue to be monitored. There are a couple of things. First, this issue was identified as a result of the SOLAS helpline. The system worked, if you like. People were ringing in about it and SOLAS identified the issue. SOLAS went back and asked what was behind the issue. It seemed this was different from attending in person. It is a different form of getting the same certificate. It seemed that a lot of the people who were taking the test online, quite frankly, had not read the questions and answers booklet for the key preparatory test. I am not blaming them. SOLAS representatives were very clear that it was not made clear or visible enough on the website. I am satisfied that is now fixed and that the full book of 500 questions and answers is available to download on the revision tab. It is strongly advised that candidates study the questions to ensure they can pass the test. There is also an optional tutorial that will be offered when they start the test to explain how to navigate and scroll through it. That is new as well.

On the issue of fees, I will have to come back to the Deputy. I will take a view from SOLAS on that. I am conscious that the online test is already an awful lot cheaper than the in-person test. These are teething problems but I am very grateful to the Deputy for highlighting them.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Just because a lot can be seen in the background on the online system and it can be seen that some people are accessing the online tools on it at this stage, is it compulsory or is the system now set up to push people towards the support tools to ensure they avail of those ahead of taking on the exam itself? Are there also options available for them to retest quickly so they can continue on with the process? The whole concept has been a very positive and constructive move.

We call this a teething issue. It is the kind of thing that could be set up with a sour taste at the start. What is a very good development should be capable of being progressed in a positive way, because it gives people the opportunity to undertake study without losing out on work and pay. We must ensure that this is a most positive experience possible for people.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I fully agree with that. It is not mandatory to go through the book, but it is very much made clear that people should do so. Looking at the website, it is quite obvious that people should do this. Equally, when people begin the test, there is an option to take a tutorial before it commences. That tutorial shows people how to navigate and scroll through the test and the questions relating to it. This is a good decision. I should say that this is an alternative as opposed to being the only show in town. Currently, 30 test centres deliver the Safe Pass renewal programme. If that way works better for some people, then it is also available. What we are talking about is a different way of receiving certification. It is going to be the way of the future and extremely handy for people. It is being sought by industry. I have received good feedback on it. Undoubtedly, however, if people are going to do the online test, they need to read the booklet of questions and answers in preparation. It is available in the revision section. SOLAS has made this extremely clear, but I will be keeping a close eye on this and I am happy to keep in touch with the Deputy on this matter.