Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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831. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding transport courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6063/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Revised criteria for approval as Training Provider for the Transport Management Certificate of Professional Competence were introduced in November 2015 to open the market for prospective providers and to put in place standards that all applicants must meet.  In relation to your inquiry, this application was refused by the Department on 1 April 2016 as it did not meet all the criteria that apply.  One of the criteria is that any tutors nominated in an application must hold a Level 6 Train the Trainer qualification accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and recognised under the National Framework of Qualifications, or an NUI Higher Diploma in Education or teacher training.  The applicant has been requested a number of times to provide evidence of meeting this criterion, but the information provided has not satisfied the requirement. 

Under the terms of the application process, the applicant may, if they wish, appeal the refusal of the application within 21 days of the date of the Department's letter of refusal by submitting written representations to the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of the Department.  Any appeal that may be submitted will be reviewed by an officer at a higher grade, whose decision will be final.