Vol. 520 No. 5
72 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide additional funding to the institutes of technology to cater for the additional demands arising from the increase in apprentice places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16197/00]
The need for additional capacity in institutes of technology to cater for the unprecedented increase in apprenticeship numbers is being addressed by my Department in conjunction with the institutes of technology. In the two financial years 1998 and 1999 a total of £6 million in recurrent funding was provided to fund additional apprentice places. A further £5 million is being provided this year. In addition, my Department has allocated specific capital funding to the institutes of technology to meet the demand for apprenticeship places as they arise during 2000. These funds amount to over £7 million and are allocated to various institutes across the country.
As a result of the measures taken to date, the number of apprentice catered for in the educational system has increased from just over 4000 in 1997-1998 to 7,200 in the current academic year. The substantial increase in apprentice numbers over a very short period has led to problems in fully addressing demand. However, I am taking steps to increase capacity further with the result that I expect training will be provided for an additional 1,300 apprentices in the next academic year. In addition, my Department is liaising with the institutes of technology to provide training for a minimum of 700 apprentices during the summer.
