Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the anomalies that have been brought to the attention of the National Apprenticeship Office, SOLAS and the Health and Safety Authority by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the current construction regulations and the ability of those who complete the new consortium-led scaffolding apprenticeship in December 2023 and who attain a QQI level 5 qualification to legally scaffold; if he is concerned that these anomalies have the potential to inadvertently undermine the new consortia-led system and impact on participation rates when compared against the ability to access a SOLAS national craft card by other construction apprentices; if he agrees that the scaffolding apprenticeship programme ought to be recognised independently of the construction skills certification scheme, CSCS, under the construction regulations; the steps he plans to take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Scaffolding as a skill has been long recognised as an integral component of the construction industry’s suite of trades. The Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 require that certain construction workers carrying out safety critical tasks must complete Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) training. On successful completion, workers are issued with a CSCS Card which demonstrates that they have received training in the relevant skills and are registered with SOLAS. This is well recognised in the construction sector, by both employers and clients.

Two scheduled activities requiring CSCS training are Scaffolding – basic (7 days training) and Scaffolding – advanced (10 days training).

Separately, for several years, it was recognised that there was a manpower and skills gap in the scaffolding industry sector. To address this, an apprenticeship programme dedicated to advancing skills in scaffolding was launched in 2021. The programme is 2 years in length and the first apprentices are due to graduate later this year.

It has been identified that under the current licencing regulations, scaffolding apprentices, having completed two years of training, will be required to submit to a CSCS assessment in order to obtain the CSCS Card that will allow them to work on-site.

Currently, the existing regulations for scheduled activities are being revised. The skills training and assessment for all activities currently covered by the existing regulations will be updated under the Construction Safety Licencing Bill, including scaffolding. The Bill is expected to be enacted at the end of 2023.

While the scaffolding apprenticeship is currently a recognised apprenticeship qualification, this Bill creates the potential for it to be included as a licensed activity under this model.

It is noted that, with the timing of the first apprenticeship graduates and the enactment of the Bill, there is a time gap. My Department is working with partners and a possible solution has been identified. This is being finalised and I expect to be able to share further details shortly.