Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the FETAC and FÁS arbitrary increasing of fees for special purpose certification without a reasonable notice period that affects essential health and safety training on the FÁS construction skills certification scheme and is passing the burden of the increase on to small business and training providers; his plans to address the matter. [52478/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, FETAC was dissolved in November 2012 and its functions were assumed by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an amalgamated qualifications and quality assurance body covering both further and higher education and training.

Since its establishment, QQI has been undertaking a comprehensive policy development programme, involving structured consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, in order to formulate the policies and criteria required for the performance of its functions. QQI adopted a number of revised policies in September and also determined the related fees. Under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012, QQI must receive the consent of both the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to the fees which it determines, and that consent was granted in October.

With regard to the introduction of fees for Level 4 Special Purpose awards, the revised fees schedule provides that fees are to be charged for the first time for all Level 4 QQI awards, as they already are for all Level 5 or 6 awards. The fee has also been set at the same level as the relevant fee for Level 5 or 6 awards. It should be noted that in 2012 FETAC made approximately 50,000 awards at Level 4, out of a total of approximately 300,000 awards. Given the costs to QQI of certification and of the maintenance of awards standards, it is not sustainable for QQI to continue to make these awards at no cost.

In order to give adequate notice to learners and providers, QQI has deferred the introduction of these new certification fees until 1 July 2014. Certification fees would usually be paid by learners themselves, rather than providers, and a system of waivers is in place. These waivers mean that recipients of social welfare benefits and/or Medical Card holders are exempt from fees. In addition, certain centres are exempt from fees, including Youthreach/VTOS.