Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 1

Written Answers. - Semi-State Recruitment.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

155 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on the cut-back of recruitment of apprentices to semi-State companies; his further views on whether semi-State companies have traditionally recruited more apprentices than they need for their own purposes in order to develop craft skills for the community; the current status of negotiations to develop a new scheme of apprenticeship specifically oriented towards the work requirements of semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10406/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Recruitment of apprentices by semi-State companies is a matter for the companies themselves. While I appreciate that particular exigencies may lead some semi-State companies to reduce their intake of apprentices from time to time, I would certainly be concerned — as I would hope they also would be — if such actions led to shortages of skilled personnel down the line. FÁS has always encouraged the recruitment by employers in the private and public sectors of sufficient numbers of apprentices to meet anticipated skills needs of industry.

There are no negotiations in progress under the aegis of my Department with a view to developing a new apprenticeship system specifically orientated towards the requirements of the semi-State sector. In that regard the new standards based apprenticeship system which was agreed under theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress— and which applies to all apprentices, whether in the public or private sector — is expected to be fully operational later this year.