Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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491. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Sustainable Eneregy Ireland has finished its consultation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland; if a building energy ratings assessor training course will be available in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31192/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Domestic Building Energy Rating assessor training courses, first introduced in 2007, were provided by training providers registered with a National Awards Body recognised under the National Framework of Qualifications. Successful completion of a Further Education and Training Awards Council-approved domestic BER assessor training course led to a Level 6 Special Purpose Award.

In November 2012, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) was established to replace the Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the Further Education and Training Awards Council , the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and also to incorporate the functions of the Irish Universities Quality Board. QQI initiated a review of existing awards and consequently deactivated a number of awards including the BER assessor training course award in December 2013. Following notification, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), as the Issuing Authority under the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012, immediately contacted QQI to address the issue of award deactivation.

I am advised by SEAI that the review and validation by QQI of the domestic BER assessor training course is being advanced. A public consultation on the award and occupational standards concluded in June 2014 and the recommendations arising will be included in the final award definition. QQI has indicated that the earliest possible date for award validation is September 2014. I have no function in relation to this aspect of the matter. Training providers may seek accreditation as soon as the award is validated.

The national domestic BER examination remains in place for existing BER assessors and candidates who have completed a recognised BER assessor training course on or before December 2013 and I am satisfied that there are a sufficient number of registered domestic BER assessors active in the marketplace to meet current demands.