John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1243. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he will put in place to assist a person (details supplied) complete courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive requires all Professional Users (i.e. anybody who applies/sprays products authorised for professional use) to be appropriately trained. The Department has recognised relevant courses provided by training providers accredited by QQI, City and Guilds and Lantra as being appropriate training for the purposes of registration as a Professional User. Details of these training providers are available on the Department website at .

As part of the quality assurance accreditation of every training provider by the relevant awarding body, there is an undertaking to make skills/competency-based courses accessible to all.

Previously, officials in my Department have been in contact with a number of training providers in relation to this issue and they indicated that they have frequently provide training to people who require support to get the necessary qualifications. They all indicated that, in cases such as this, the necessary supports would be put in place following consultation and agreement with the individual concerned. In this instance, the person concerned was provided with contact details of accredited training providers who indicated that they would be willing to facilitate the required training. The person concerned should contact the accredited training providers to agree what supports are required. If there is any difficulty in this regard the person concerned should either contact the relevant awarding body or officials in my Department again.