Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 26 February 2019, the reason SOLAS continues to place additional conditions above and beyond the regulations when a person wishes to renew his or her safe pass card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Safe Pass is a one day health and safety awareness programme, which aims to provide those that work in construction environments with a level of basic knowledge and awareness of evolving health and safety standards and practices. The Safe Pass programme is administered by SOLAS and operated by a network of mainly private SOLAS-approved training providers.

The Safe Pass Programme is continually adapted and developed in line with international best practice to ensure the content of the programme is current, fit for purpose and keeps abreast of changes in safety legislation and meets current regulations. Developing best practice in safe behaviour on site and the ever changing profile of the workforce and work environment in the construction industry. The primary objective of the Safe Pass programme is, over the course of time, to reduce construction related fatalities, injuries and illnesses by decreasing the number and frequency of construction site accidents by raising the level of health and safety knowledge and awareness across the construction sector.

A valid Safe Pass card can only be obtained upon successful completion of the Safe Pass Safety Awareness training programme. It is a condition of renewal of the registration card that participants must update their safety awareness training every four years, which is fully supported by all partners within the construction sector.