Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 14 November 2017, if the request from a society (details supplied) to have the first aid at work UK qualification recognised has received a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16988/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) concerning first aid at work employers have a duty to provide first-aid materials/equipment at all places of work where working conditions require it. Depending on the size and/or specific hazards of the workplace, trained occupational first aiders must also be provided.

An “occupational first aider” is defined in the Regulations as a person trained and qualified in occupational first aid. Such training can only be provided by organisations or individuals on the Register of Occupational First Aid Training Providers.

However, the management of first aid qualifications does not rest with the Health and Safety Authority. This rests with the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) and they are best placed to provide up to date information on any requests for, or progress on, mutual recognition arrangements.

PHECC is the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and is an independent statutory agency with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care. It was established by the Minister for Health.

QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland. It was established in 2012 by the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. It operates under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills.

In this regard queries on this matter would be best referred to my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education and Skills respectively.