Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the details of the scheme for redundant apprentices and the rotation of apprentices scheme; the value of these schemes to the apprentice and to the employer; the number to be covered by the schemes; the way the schemes operate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46344/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 477 apprentices were trained under the Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme which operated in 2009. That scheme was replaced in 2010 by the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme which aims to give redundant apprentices the opportunity to complete on-the-job training phases 3, 5 or 7 to enable them to progress in their apprenticeship. Under the Scheme, FÁS places a redundant apprentice with an approved employer who provides workplace training and assessment at phases 3, 5 or 7. This allows the apprentice to gain the required knowledge, skills and competence in their chosen trade. In order to obtain approval under the Scheme, employers must either be currently employing a registered apprentice or have previously trained a FÁS registered apprentice up to craftsperson status in the past 5 years. The benefit to the apprentice is that they can successfully progress to the next off-the-job phase of their apprenticeship or complete their apprenticeship. The benefits to the employer include the availability of an additional staff resource and a FAS employment subsidy of €250 per week for each 39 hour week worked. To date in 2010 a total of 417 redundant apprentices have participated in the Scheme.