David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to verify authenticity of training and referees as listed by applicants on their CSCS application forms; the steps taken to ensure that such training has been delivered by competent persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) provides for the training, assessment, certification and registration of non-craft operatives within the construction sector.

In order to apply for assessment candidates are required to contact an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) who issues the candidate with an assessment pack for completion and submission to the ATO. Upon receipt of the completed assessment pack the ATO ensures that the candidate meets the candidate profile and that the required declarations are signed stating that the candidate has the required experience. The candidate is then advised of the date and time of the assessment event.

SOLAS monitors each assessment in keeping with monitoring requirements. This monitoring ensures the authenticity of the assessment and ensures that candidate packs are completed to the required standard. Notwithstanding this, SOLAS also carries out process audits to ensure that standards are adhered to.

Once a candidate completes an assessment the Approved Training Organisation enters the results onto the SOLAS Card Management System within 10 days. The results are internally verified by the Training Standard Officer for the region who liaises with the ATO regarding any errors or missing paperwork and prepares a list of internally verified courses for the External Authenticator.

Only applications which have successfully gone through the above process can be submitted for certification.