Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020
117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason Solas has increased the price of the safe pass system that is required by all building workers; if he or his Department were informed by Solas that the fee for this pass would be increased by between 100% and 200%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/20]
View answerSafe Pass training re-opened for face to face delivery on 11th June of this year, during a period in which all other face to face education and training remained suspended. Safe Pass, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) courses were included in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business alongside the re-opening of the construction sector. The courses were permitted to restart under strictly controlled Covid-19 precaution measures which were reviewed by the Department’s scientific advisor prior to finalisation.
These measures include restrictions in relation to maximum class sizes reducing the maximum number of participants from twenty to ten participants. All SOLAS approved Safe Pass providers are independent commercial entities and course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations. SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses apart from a charge of €32 for the processing, manufacturing and distribution of Safe Pass cards, which is generally included in the overall price for attending a course.
The strict control measures have allowed the courses to remain open during fluctuating Covid-19 control measures, providing some certainty to workers seeking access to sites and occupations for which Safe Pass is required. By the end of October over 10,000 Safe Pass cards had issued to first-time holders, with an additional 23,700 renewal cards issued.
Holders of Safe Pass cards with an expiry date after 1st March 2020 have had the period of validity extended to the end of the Covid-19 emergency period. This legislative provision introduced by the Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) remains in force at the current time, however workers with expired cards are advised to renew their cards as soon as possible to prevent a significant backlog accruing. SOLAS is actively examining alternative delivery methods to identify a solution that is equitable with existing Safe Pass course delivery, in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participant supports and ensuring assessment integrity.
