Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
108 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will consider introducing new laws to improve the employment rights of apprentices working with employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18003/04]
View answerApprentices are covered by the employment rights legislation administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with the exception of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003. The Act provides for permanency for fixed-term employees in certain circumstances. The nature of the apprenticeship relationship is essentially a temporary one, which does not involve permanency until the apprenticeship relationship has ended. It was not considered appropriate, therefore, to include apprentices within the remit of the 2003 Act. In the circumstances, it is not necessary to introduce new laws to improve the employment rights of apprentices.
