Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1985.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the delays encountered by building workers returning from Australia getting the necessary licences from Solas; if he would review the availability of information for people who wish to get such licences and the effectiveness of the processes for handling such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34865/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the guiding legislation governing the process for managing each recognition of professional qualification is S.I. No 8 of 2017. SOLAS operates in full compliance with the applicable S.I.

SOLAS is required to reply within one month on receipt of an application and subsequently, provide a decision to each applicant within three months, post the submission date. Operationally, SOLAS endeavours to respond to individuals within two weeks of a completed application, but in some cases, this can take - up to three months due to (a) the diverse categories of skills and (b) the nature of skills certification outside of the EU.

Where delays have occurred, my Department has been advised by SOLAS that they are the exception, rather than the rule. According to SOLAS, the cause of such delays pertain to applicants not having complied with the application process and/or not having followed advice from SOLAS.

Considering the risks associated with working within the construction sector, the Health and Safety thresholds aligned to safe working on construction sites, the scale of specialised equipment utilised and finally, the elevated level of fraudulent qualifications in circulation, SOLAS is required to undertake a detailed due diligence for each application it receives.

Detailed analysis on the number of applications by categories is supplied hereunder for the period 2022 – July 2024.

SOLAS does not issue individual licences for any of the above programmes. Once each application is approved, successful applicants receive what the construction industry refer to as a “card” or multiple cards for each CSCS or QSCS programme\s for which they been approved.