Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2019
252. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SOLAS charges applicants to the construction skills certificate scheme who are in receipt of social welfare payments or who hold a medical card a fee to receive their QQI certification following successful completion of the training and assessment programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5567/19]
View answerParticipants undertaking a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) programme are charged a participation fee by their Approved Training Organisation (ATO). The fee covers the cost of the training programme and also includes a charge for Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) certification and for the administration of the CSCS Registration Card by SOLAS.
SOLAS is undertaking an upgrade of their IT systems supporting the CSCS application process and will enable a QQI certification fee waiver to be applied for at source. This is expected to be available later in 2019. In the meantime, any persons undertaking a CSCS training and assessment event that believe they are eligible to a waiver in respect of QQI certification fees are advised to directly apply to QQI for a certification fee refund. Further information regarding QQI certification fees and the waiver process can be found on the SOLAS website.
