Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2021
395. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason SOLAS will not permit courses to be taken online for those in the building industry to renew or receive their licences to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2236/21]
View answerUnder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, all construction workers in Ireland are required to hold a valid Safe Pass Registration Card in Ireland. In March 2020 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation amended these regulations to extend the expiry dates of valid Safe Pass cards due to expire after the 1st March 2020 for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency period. The delivery of Safe Pass courses is currently suspended in accordance with public health measures.
It is necessary to ensure that any alternative delivery model is equitable with existing Safe Pass, CSCS and QSCS course delivery, in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participant supports and ensuring assessment integrity. SOLAS is actively examining alternative delivery methods to deliver on these requirements.
