Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 June 2023
177. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, when the current constitution skills certification scheme (CSCS) comes to an end because of the proposed licence system for construction workers, his Department is going to refund all current construction workers for the cost of the SOLAS registration card, courses and time off work; and if not, the reason therefor. [28727/23]
View answerThe Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023 provides for a new and comprehensive framework for the licensing of certain construction, quarrying and related activities in Ireland.
Following an independent review of SOLAS’s Construction Services Unit in 2017 and subsequent consultation with public sector, industry, and staff representatives, all stakeholders agreed that the recommendations of the review would be adopted, including moving to a licensing system for certain construction and quarrying activities.
There will be no requirement for refunds, as the current cohort of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) card holders will be issued, upon the renewal date of their card, a licence for the skill in which they have held a CSCS or QSCS card.
A transition period will be in place for those who currently hold CSCS or QSCS cards. It is proposed that a CSCS or QSCS card will remain valid for a period of 5 years beginning from when the relevant section in the Bill is enacted or until the card’s expiry date, whichever is the earlier, and a person must then apply for a licence to replace this card.
The Construction Safety Licensing Bill, as initiated, can be found here: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2023/24/eng/initiated/b2423d.pdf.
