Vol. 477 No. 5
206 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the serious loss which has resulted to a town (details supplied) in County Cork as a result of the withdrawal of a course from one of its schools; if she will examine the matter with a view to having the course reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9678/97]
Under the new "standard-based" apprenticeship system, which was developed under PESP and the Programme for a Partnership Government (PPG) 1993-97 all day release courses are being discontinued and will be replaced by block release courses.
When the new system is fully operational schools which have been providing day release courses for apprentices will no longer be required to be providers of such programmes.
However, as a result of representations made to me, I have arranged for the position regarding the course in the school in question to be reviewed by the interdepartmental group in the light of recruitment patterns in the relevant apprenticeship area.
