The number of groups of apprentices catered for by institutes of technology in relation to the different trades is subject to adjustment from term to term in the light of a range of factors for example, demand, availability of facilities and staff. My Department is working closely with all the institutes, including Dublin Institute of Technology, with a view to increasing capacity generally across the sector as a matter of urgency and the question of additional provision for this trade is being looked at in that context.
Meantime, it is proposed to maintain the number of apprentice groups in the vehicle body building trade in Dublin Institute of Technology at two groups for the third term of the current academic year.