Written answer
Health and Safety
340. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in light of recent HSA data showing that 40% of workplace fatalities involve the self-employed, will expand the existing foundational ETB modules funded under the EIST programme to include specific, machine-certified safety modules (such as commercial woodchipper and advanced chainsaw tickets) to meet the real-world safety needs of Ireland's estimated 10,000 independent landscaping contractors. [48038/26]
Comment on this
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is a shared management programme between the European Union and the Member States. In Ireland the ESF+ Managing Authority in my Department holds responsibility for implementation of ESF+ nationally. ESF+ funding is allocated over seven-year programming periods aligned to the EU’s Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).
Ireland’s ESF+ national programme for the 2021-27 period is entitled the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme. Actions included in the ESF+ EIST 2021-27 Programme are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the European Union co-funding claims in arrears.
The EIST Programme has a total allocation of €1.08bn which is made up of €508.4m in EU funding and €572.6m in national co-financing. The EIST Programme funds a range of Actions in priority areas of employment, inclusion, skills, and training implemented by different Government Departments and Agencies.
The Education and Training Boards deliver a range of courses in the area of horticulture/landscaping, some of which are delivered under the Specific Skills Training or Traineeship programmes which are ESF+ funded under the ETB Training Action.
These courses can include the following modules which lead to QQI awards.
• Horticulture Tools and Equipment (4N0683)
• Workplace Safety (4N1124)
• Safe Horticultural Practice (4N0719)
Additionally, workers in horticulture/landscaping in a construction environment can avail of SafePass training which is a mandatory health and safety awareness course.
I trust this information is of assistance.