Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2021
148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost of safe passes; the percentage increase in the average price since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23459/21]
View answerSafe Pass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place. There is a €32 fee payable to SOLAS for the processing, manufacturing and distribution of Safe Pass cards which is unchanged and is generally included in the overall price for attending a course.
The maximum number of participants that can attend a Safe Pass course was reduced from twenty to ten participants in line with SOLAS’ Guidelines to allow for the re-opening of the sector. ATOs and Safe Pass tutors are required to adhere to public health requirements, 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 Pandemic Containment Guidelines.
