Ged Nash
Question:296. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the anomalies that have been brought to the attention of the National Apprenticeship Office, SOLAS and the Health and Safety Authority by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the current construction regulations and the ability of those who complete the new consortium-led scaffolding apprenticeship in December 2023 and who attain a QQI level 5 qualification to legally scaffold; if he is concerned that these anomalies have the potential to inadvertently undermine the new consortia-led system and impact on participation rates when compared against the ability to access a SOLAS national craft card by other construction apprentices; if he agrees that the scaffolding apprenticeship programme ought to be recognised independently of the construction skills certification scheme, CSCS, under the construction regulations; the steps he plans to take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/23]
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