Departmental Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2021

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Questions (192)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 6 May 2021, if his Department or an agency under his aegis monitors the price of Safepass courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24940/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

SafePass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS to deliver training. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and the Department and SOLAS have no role in the setting of fees for SafePass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place. As such, the prices of courses are not monitored on an ongoing basis.

SafePass courses are currently being delivered in compliance with strict COVID-19 measures which include a reduction in maximum numbers of learners who may physically attend a course. In a number of cases this has led to a temporary increase in course costs for individual learners.