Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
919. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will request the PHECC and the HSA to meet with non-recognised institutions or instructors for first-aid training in order to resolve the ongoing problems as a result of their prohibition on advertising by non-recognised and smaller providers. [55271/17]
View answer1104. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding first-aid courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1972/18]
View answer1116. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to resolve the situation which has arisen with the HSA and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council to ensure that all qualified first-aid response course instructors here are recognised for workplace training and are permitted to advertise their courses in order to ensure fairness to all involved. [2067/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 919, 1104 and 1116 together.
The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the statutory body responsible for standards, education and training in the area of pre-hospital emergency care. In 2014, PHECC developed the First Aid Response (FAR) education and training standard, building on its foundational Cardiac First Response course.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is responsible for the enforcement of Occupational First Aid (OFA) provisions of Part 7 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. I understand that since September last, FAR is now recognised by the HSA as the recognised standard to meet occupational first aid needs in the workplace. Both the HSA and PHECC have issued joint communications to inform OFA providers and instructors, recognised institutions, students and employers of the key activities and milestones over the course of the transition from OFA to FAR, the most recent of which was provided on 13 December 2017.
Training institutions/individuals who wish to conduct courses and award PHECC qualifications must comply with and meet the Council approved PHECC Education and Training standard commensurate with the particular course they wish to conduct and certificate they seek to award. Therefore, training organisations, including sole traders, who wish to deliver FAR and FAR instructor training are encouraged to become Recognised Institutions (RI) with PHECC. This involves an application process and a commitment to adhere to Council rules for Recognised Institutions and the Quality Review Framework. There is no prohibition on any training provider being recognised by PHECC to deliver training, provided that they meet the standard set by Council. In the interest of protecting patients and the public, only approved organisations and individuals are permitted to advertise PHECC approved courses or use the PHECC logo on promotional material.
I have been assured that PHECC has and will continue to meet organisations and/or individuals to address any issues or concerns that have arisen in relation to the transition from the OFA to the FAR standard.
