Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with representatives of construction workers to discuss the impact of recent price rises from the SOLAS administered safe pass scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/20]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Safe Pass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place.

The maximum number of participants that can attend a Safe Pass course was reduced from twenty to ten participants in line with SOLAS’ Guidelines to allow for the re-opening of the sector. There is also a €32 fee payable to SOLAS for the processing, manufacturing and distribution of Safe Pass cards which is unchanged and is generally included in the overall price for attending a course.

ATOs and Safe Pass tutors are required to adhere to public health requirements, in line with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s Return to Work Safely Protocols, relevant HSE advice and as set out in the SOLAS’ Standard Operational Pandemic Containment Guidelines.

Given that the Government has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses I am not sure such a meeting would be beneficial but should the Deputy wish to write to my office with representations or other information she is receiving, I will be happy to have my officials examine them and consider the matter further.