Vol. 505 No. 2
53 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that there has been fairness in the approach to apprentices affected by the move of the apprenticeship school to the Curragh; if these apprentices are now behind in both their technical and military training; the action, if any, he will take to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9292/99]
There were 28 apprentices at the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks prior to the closure of that barracks. Of these, 18 attended the Dublin Institute of Technology, either at Bolton Street or at Kevin Street for the purpose of completing their final "off the job" training module which consisted of ten weeks. These 18 Army apprentices are training as fitters, carpenters and electricians. They commenced their attendance at Dublin Institute of Technology in late January and completed it at the end of March.
The remaining ten Army apprentices, who are training in electronics/commmunications, have relocated to the school of signals in the Curragh. They will now complete their technical training in the middle of the year 2001.
It is envisaged that, in future, Army apprentices will attend at FÁS and/or regional technical college courses for their formal "off the job" training. This is already the long established situation with Naval Service apprentices. The apprenticeship needs of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps are kept under regular review. Apprentices will continue to be recruited for specific trades and crafts, as and when required, in response to identified service needs.
