Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1053. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to ensure workers who need to resit or sit the safe pass course can be do as soon as possible given the serious waiting lists that exist; if courses will be delivered using applications (details supplied) in order to alleviate the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31019/21]
View answer1055. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the soaring cost in obtaining a valid Solas Safepass card and the issue of accessing training which has led to a decline in workers holding this essential pass; if he will consider allowing highly qualified health and safety practitioners to deliver this essential training; and if he will further consider a change in the criteria to include them as certified trainers. [31089/21]
View answer1061. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if action is being taken to help clear the backlog of construction Safepass course applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31438/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1053, 1055 and 1061 together.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, craft and general construction workers, persons undertaking on-site security work and persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the relevant Minister are required to hold a safety awareness registration card (Safe Pass card).
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. New entrants to the above activities are required to undertake safety awareness training and pass the relevant assessment to obtain a Safe Pass card.
Safe Pass training and assessment delivery has mirrored construction sector activity during the COVID-19 period and has now fully recommenced. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the running of face to face programmes, which are delivered by SOLAS Approved Training Organisations and tutors, is subject to adherence with the SOLAS Standard Operational Pandemic Containment Guidelines.
These Guidelines include a reduction in the maximum numbers of learners who may physically attend a course. SOLAS have in place the capacity to meet demand and courses are available six days a week. Currently capacity is running at 36% as demand is not as expected.
SOLAS is continuing to work on the development of an alternative training and assessment delivery model which 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.
