Following consultation with training providers, the industry and educational bodies, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have extended the deadline for the implementation of the relevant legislation, whereby all existing responsible persons have to be trained to the QQI Accredited Level 6 Programme.

Initially the mandatory implementation date was 1^st January 2016, but this has now been extended to 30^th September 2016.

As a result of this extension, ICOS Skillnet is still in a position to offer this training with the provision of 20% funding towards it for our member organisations.

You should note that from 1^st October 2016, the Department will be undertaking monthly compliance checks whereby a number of randomly selected Licensed Merchants will be requested to forward copies of training certificates for all of their responsible persons. Failure to do so may result in suspension/revocation of licences.

The revised circular by the DAFM now requires that anyone who previously did the old course will now HAVE to do the new course, by September. The original option of a refresher course only, is no longer available.

In addition to this, the refresher training now relates new changes to the legislation, which is envisaged to come into effect in 2018/2019, at which stage all responsible persons will have to do some additional training.

For more information on booking a course, please contact Billy or Breeda on 01 6131348 or email billy.goodburn@icos.ie or breeda.flood@icos.ie