Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
207. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the actions he is taking to ensure a greater participation rate of persons with a disability in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52924/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to making our national apprenticeship more accessible to underrepresented groups including those with disabilities. As set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, SOLAS has completed a review on pathways to participation in apprenticeship. The purpose of the review is to ensure that our national apprenticeship system is more reflective of the range and diversity of our population, more inclusive of diverse backgrounds and abilities and that apprenticeship opportunities are more readily accessible to all. The review is available on the SOLAS website www.solas.ie.
Work is already underway in many of the areas identified for action and SOLAS will lead implementation of the actions, working closely with apprenticeship partners and stakeholders, in particular employers, education and training providers and apprentices themselves. The areas highlighted for action include setting targets for participation for those with disabilities for 2019 and 2020, incorporating the national census questions on disability into apprentice registration as a means of gathering more robust data on participation and examining options to expand the bursary which is currently available to employers who employ females in craft apprenticeships.
