Written answers

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Department of Education and Skills

SOLAS Administration

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if trainers or instructors from SOLAS are allowed to carry out CSCS, QSCS and Safe Pass courses under the Further Education and Training Act of 2013; and if SOLAS is applying certificates to Quality and Qualifications Ireland for CSCS and QSCS courses and if not, which institution is [17342/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The functions of SOLAS are set out in section 7 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013 and include the provision of training as well as the development of new and existing further education and training programmes.

The role of SOLAS in relation to the CSCS and Safe Pass derives from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013. The regulations provide that FÁS is responsible for the issue of valid construction skills registration cards under the provisions of Schedule 5 of the Regulations.

Schedule 4 of the regulations require the successful completion of either the FÁS Safe Pass training programme, or an equivalent safety awareness scheme approved by FÁS for the issue of a valid safety awareness registration card.

The role of SOLAS in relation to the QSCS derives from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations, 2008. It provides that FÁS is responsible for issue of the quarries skills registration card under the provisions of Schedule 1 of the Regulations.

SOLAS was established in October 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. Section 38 of the Act provides that all functions that were vested in FÁS are transferred to SOLAS including any references to FÁS in any enactment or instrument.

In relation to certification, SOLAS has advised that on the satisfactory completion and verification of the relevant training programme by the Approved Training Organisation (ATO), the relevant ETB uploads the request for certification to QQI. Certification issues from QQI to the relevant ETB, who in turn forwards it to the ATO and the card is issued by SOLAS to the ATO.

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