Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in the Marine Survey Office, MSO, approving the refresher training course in the National Maritime College of Ireland, NMCI, despite a submission of approval made by the NMCI to the MSO in February 2015; if he is aware of the severe implications resulting from the MSO's refusal to recognise the 400 Irish seafarers trained by the NMCI since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22472/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​There was no undue delay on the part of the Marine Survey Office of my Department in approving the various applications for refresher training courses in the National College of Ireland which were formally received in late April 2015. Following an examination of the applications in accordance with the relevant legal and policy framework, full approval was granted in Autumn last year by my Department in respect of two of the five categories sought. In relation to the remaining three categories of courses, there was a series of correspondence and a meeting with the College, following which renewed applications were received in Spring 2016. My Department gave preliminary approval to the NMCI to deliver these courses within a matter of weeks of receiving the final applications.  In accordance with long standing MSO policy and practice, final approval is given when the MSO officials attend the first programme and confirm that it is delivered in accordance with the approval.

To date, the NMCI has not notified us of the date for the first programme.  However, I can confirm that my officials remain available to attend any programme given by NMCI.

My Department has received in recent days similar programmes from SEFtech/NMCI Offshore Training Limited (SNO) and has now given these programmes preliminary approval.  In fact, I can confirm that officials from my Department are today attending the first sessions of these courses with a view to final approval. This will deal with the issues around employment, validity and certification of courses and the protection of maritime safety.