Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

My Department awards contracts for the construction of school buildings in line with national and European public procurement regulations. The management of the Apprenticeship Training Scheme is the responsibility of FAS which operates under the aegis of my colleague the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. It is my understanding that an employer must be approved and registered by FAS before they can recruit an apprentice.

I understand that FAS is taking a number of measures to assist apprentices who have been made redundant secure the relevant on the job training phases necessary to complete their apprenticeship. One such initiative that has been put in place is the Employer Based Redundant Apprenticeship Rotation Scheme which was announced by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in December 2008. Under this scheme eligible employers are being supported by FAS to provide workplace training and assessment for apprentices who have been made redundant. Employers who have vacancies for apprentices are encouraged to post the vacancy on the FÁS Jobs Bank. Redundant apprentices who register with Employment Services are referred to the open vacancies.

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