Written answers
Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Department of Education and Skills
Health and Safety
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding the issuing of safepass and construction skills certification scheme cards (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1609/22]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, craft and general construction workers, persons undertaking on-site security work and persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the relevant Minister are required to hold a safety awareness registration card (Safe Pass card).
Safe Pass training and assessment is delivered by SOLAS Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and tutors. These are private providers and neither the Department nor SOLAS have a role in the setting of fees or in influencing pricing structure within the market place. There is 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.
SOLAS is continuing to work on the development of an alternative online training and assessment delivery model which is equitable with existing Safe Pass, CSCS and QSCS course delivery in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participant supports and ensuring assessment integrity.
First time applicants will be required to complete face to face training and assessment as per the current practice, with a choice of online or face-to-face delivery for those renewing their cards.
In keeping with procurement procedures and government guidelines SOLAS went to tender for this service in June 2021. Following the completion of the tender process, and in keeping with tender timelines, the appointment of a successful candidate or organisation is expected to be completed in January 2022.
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