Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
97. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures undertaken to alleviate the situation facing workers whose safe pass accreditation expired prior to 1 March 2020 and that cannot now renew due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9878/20]
View answer115. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the need to resume safe pass courses during the Covid-19 pandemic using remote learning or socially distanced circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9728/20]
View answer128. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken to restart safe pass courses and certification for the course issued in view of the fact a number of persons are awaiting to start employment. [9850/20]
View answer138. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the suspension of the safe pass programme will be lifted; when he and SOLAS plan to roll out online training programs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9953/20]
View answer156. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of safe pass qualifications issued from other countries (details supplied); if they can be accepted or exchanged for an Irish safe pass whilst Covid-19 restrictions prevent courses resuming in order to allow holders of such passes to commence employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10094/20]
View answer176. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered resuming safe pass courses in view of the fact they can be conducted with social distancing in place; the reason they have not been restarted in view of the reopening of the construction sector; and if he has considered extending to the start of the year, a reprieve on expired safe passes in order that workers that missed the 1 March 2020 cut-off can get back to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10249/20]
View answer196. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills when safe pass courses will be permitted to commence again in view of the fact that construction workers have returned to work and new entrants to the sector have not had a safe pass certificate before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10349/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 115, 128, 138, 156, 176 and 196 together.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, construction workers in Ireland are legally bound to hold a valid Safe Pass Registration Card to work on site. The only course currently recognised as an equivalent to the SOLAS Safe Pass course is the Construction Skills Register (CSR Northern Ireland) one day health and safety course.
SOLAS has examined the potential for online delivery as a means of continuing national construction health and safety courses while adhering to public health measures. No immediate solution has been identified that is equitable with the existing Safe Pass course delivery model, in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participants supports (literacy and numeracy) and interpreter services, as well as ensuring assessment integrity.
On 5th June, the Government sanctioned the inclusion of Safe Pass, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) course delivery in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for reopening society and business, on condition that public health guidelines are adhered to by approved training organisations.
This means that the onsite delivery of these courses can recommence with effect from 8th June 2020 in line with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s Return to Work Safely Protocols, relevant HSE advice and as set out in the SOLAS’ Standard Operational Procedures (SOP). Anyone wishing to book a Safe Pass training course should contact their local Safe Pass training provider. A list of approved Safe Pass providers is available on the SOLAS website at Safe Pass Accredited Tutors register.
