Seán Ryan
Ceist:61 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if he intends to introduce a pilot scheme before any permanent change is made from the present time-served system of apprenticeship training to a standards attained system.
Written Answers - Apprenticeship Training.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:62 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if his Department formulated any views on the FÁS discussion Apprenticeship A New Approach; and if he will make a statement on the document.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:63 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if he intends that a mandatory element of apprentice training will be attendance on day or block release courses at a suitable college.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:64 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if he intends that success in the Department of Education trade examinations will be compulsory for apprentices before they can be deemed to be fully qualified craftpersons.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:65 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if the National Apprenticeship Committee, when established, will review the proposals on apprenticeship emanating from the FÁS discussion document - Apprenticeship A New Approach; and if they will have the power to implement any necessary changes.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:66 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour when he proposes to establish the national apprenticeship committee as proposed in the FÁS discussion document - Apprenticeship A New Approach; and the status the committee will have.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 together.
The FÁS proposals for a revised apprenticeship system are currently under active consideration by my Department.
The Deputy will appreciate that the proposals are complex and some areas, contentious and accordingly require careful consideration. This is particularly the case in so far as the proposed new payroll levy to finance apprentice and other types of training is concerned. I would like to assure the Deputy, however, that decisions on the proposals will be taken as quickly as possible.