Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
258. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when apprenticeship off-the-job training will return to full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44386/21]
View answerCraft apprenticeship training has been adversely impacted by the pandemic, with training centres that provide the practical training to apprentices in their off-the-job phase closed for significant periods of time to adhere to public health guidance. When centres were allowed to reopen they did so only at 50-60% capacity due to social distancing measures which have been in place.
However as we begin to reopen society safely the apprenticeship system can start to return to 100% operational capacity. This is seen in the plans for the month of September, whereby almost 3,000 apprentices have been scheduled to commence their off-the-job phase as we return to full capacity for the first time since March 2020. Classes in October and onwards will continue to be scheduled at full capacity, subject to local conditions and prevailing public health advice.
