Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a regulation in place to ensure that companies that purport to be experts in health and safety regulations and that provide classes and courses on the implementation of Irish and EU regulations regarding health and safety in the workplace are in fact qualified to do so. [10065/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a company (details supplied) in County Limerick is recognised as an accredited company by the Health and Safety Authority and by his Department to provide classes and courses on the implementation of Irish and EU regulations regarding health and safety in the workplace; and if this company is employed by State companies to deliver such services. [10066/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 411 together.

The national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland is the Further Education and Training Awards Council, FETAC, which gives people the opportunity to gain recognition for learning in education or training centres, in the workplace and in the community. FETAC's functions include the making and promoting of awards, the validating of programmes, monitoring and ensuring the quality of programmes and determining standards.

FETAC published guidelines for providers in 2004 which set out a common framework for quality assurance which all providers must apply in a manner appropriate to their own context. That common framework requires providers to develop and document a series of policies and procedures capturing their existing best practice, complemented by an internal monitoring and evaluation system to recognise excellence and facilitate improvement.

I understand that several providers of health and safety training have agreed quality assurance systems with FETAC and offer courses leading to FETAC awards.

The Health and Safety Authority does not operate a system of accreditation for companies which provide classes and courses in regard to health and safety in the workplace, and I have no information regarding the provision of training for State companies by the company concerned in County Limerick.