Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Questions (181)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

181. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications submitted to date to higher education and further education and training institutions to undertake first aid responder training; the average waiting time to undertake this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The Higher Education sector does not provide short-term courses in first aid responder training.

There are a number of courses available within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. Officials in my Department have contacted SOLAS , the Further Education and Training Authority, and they have confirmed that 1,835 learners started a first aid/first responder course delivered or funded by an Education and Training Board (ETB) throughout 2019. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the average waiting time to undertake training is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

It should be noted that ETBs deliver a relatively small proportion of the overall volume of first aid training nationally.