Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding city and guilds exams. [1171/14]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the costs of sitting tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1185/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

The Deputy should be aware that it is a breach of Health and Safety Regulations for an individual to work with a CSCS card that has expired and no 'grace period' applies.

I am informed that an advanced scaffolding CSCS card is valid for 5 years. If a person renews their card within 5 years of its expiry, there is no requirement to re-sit an assessment. However, the applicant is required to declare that they had the minimum scaffolding experience (300 hours) before the expiry of their card.

If the is not renewed within the specified timeframe, an applicant is required to re-sit their assessments. The Approved Provider who is administering the assessment will charge the participants. This fee is set by the Provider and SOLAS are not involved in setting the price. The duration of assessments can vary and this will also dictate the price.

It is a requirement that skills and experience of working safely are kept up to date and this can only be assured through the renewal of cards and the associated declaration process.