Health and Safety Regulations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2007

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Ceisteanna (243)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

291 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of the forthcoming changes to training requirements announced by FÁS under the construction skills certification course for machinery which are due to come into force in January 2008, provision has been made to award credit for certified experience gained by construction workers in other States particularly EU member states; if he is satisfied based on the certified experience gained to date in the operation of the current scheme that it is necessary to change the training and certification duration from one day to five days; his views on whether training gained within other EU member states which is certified to the relevant national standard is acceptable here; if allowances will be made for overseas experience gained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35389/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 specific categories of workers (including those engaged in the Operation of Plant Machinery) were required to have certification under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Workers were required to successfully complete a one day Training/Assessment Programme for each category of machine in order to qualify for Certification. Successful candidates were entitled to apply for a FÁS CSCS Registration Card. This training was geared towards Experienced Workers.

In August 2007, FÁS launched a series of New Entrant Plant Machinery Training Programmes for inexperienced workers in compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2006. The programmes are four days in duration. All candidates on CSCS Programmes are required to have successfully completed a Safe Pass Programme, satisfy the age requirement and have six months experience under the close personal supervision of a person who is in possession of a valid CSCS Registration Card relevant to the task concerned. Upon completion of the New Entrant Programmes workers can then present themselves for the one day Experienced Training/Assessment Programme.

With regard to allowances to be made for overseas experience gained, Council Directive Number 2005/36/EEC and Council Directive No. 2006/100/EC makes provision for recognising awards and certified experience gained by workers in other States particularly EU Member States.

Training and Certification gained by individuals within other EU Member States is acceptable in Ireland provided such training is recognised by the relevant State approved body within the individual's Member State.