Seán Power
Question:6 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the manner in which the intake of apprentices to the Army apprentice school for 1995 compares with recent years. [6584/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Apprentice Recruitment.
Competitions for the recruitment of apprentices for the Army and Air Corps are currently under way in my Department. This year there are a total of 35 apprenticeships available in the Defence Forces — 15 in the Army and 20 in the Air Corps. The number is lower than in previous years because of a reduction in the number of vacancies for technicians in the various trades as a result of low wastage in recent years.
I am disappointed there has been a reduction in numbers. The Army Apprentice School since its commencement in 1956 has trained apprentices. Will the Minister agree that the training given to the apprentices in the Army school is unequalled? We are pumping money into Mickey Mouse training courses and this training, which has been tried and proven, should be expanded, not run down.
The Deputy is not correct in assuming that I am running down the training. It is not reasonable to suggest that the Defence Forces should take on the role of providing a training scheme beyond their needs. This school was set up to meet the needs of the Defence Forces and the relevant training courses are being provided. I agree that the standard of training is very high. In the past the apprentices tended to take up employment outside the Defence Forces but, as the numbers clearly indicate, this is happening to a much lesser extent today. I cannot do very much about this. We have provided apprenticeship training to meet the requirements of the Defence Forces and will continue to do so. If the existing apprentices wish to take up employment in the Defence Forces that is their right. Until a larger number of trainees decide to take up employment in the private sector it will be difficult to significantly increase the numbers. It is not reasonable to expect the Defence Forces to become involved in a wider training scheme.
Will the Minister agree that the civilian teachers form an integral part of the staff in the school and have given stalwart service over the years? Is he aware of the concerns expressed by those teachers and will he intervene in the matter?
I am aware of the concerns expressed by teachers employed by the local vocational education committee and seconded to the school. A question on this issue has been put down to the Minister for Education——
I am looking for an answer and that is why I asked the Minister.
I cannot give the Deputy the answer as I am not responsible for the employment of vocational education committee teachers. The Minister for Education will reply to this question.