Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree we need to expand the areas covered and believe there is cross-party support for that. This is something we have been involved in with the setting up of the new apprenticeship council. Expansion is part of the Government's plan and we have addressed the issue at Cabinet, where there is agreement across the table that this should happen and that we should increase the number of apprenticeships on offer.

At 30 April 2015, there was a total of 7,398 apprentices actively engaged with the apprenticeship system. There were 1,521 in the construction sector, 2,724 in the electrical sector, 1,340 in the engineering sector, 1,792 in the motor sector and 21 in the printing sector. These figures represent an approximately 40% increase on the registrations since 2013. Numbers are up in existing apprenticeships, a positive development, and we expect these numbers to continue rising over the next three years to 2018.

In regard to new types of apprenticeship, the Apprenticeship Council of Ireland was set up last September-October and it called for proposals from the public in January this year. The council received 86 separate proposals for new apprenticeships from 48 organisations before the 31 March deadline. This is a competitive process, but there has been a very strong response and submissions which will lead to qualifications at a range of levels were received from a wide range of sectors. There was a particularly strong interest from the manufacturing and engineering sector, accounting for 24 submissions. A substantial number of proposals were also received from areas such as the built environment, tourism and sport and financial services.

The council is currently in the process of evaluating submissions and it is required to report to the Department by 30 June. We have a strong belief that we need to provide young people with a broad range of education and training options which give them fulfilment and prepare them for work and for life. The idea behind apprenticeships is that people are provided with a blend of education and on and off the job training. However, these apprenticeships must be employer led and driven. We look forward to making significant progress in expanding the range of apprenticeships available in Ireland over the coming months and in 2016. The Deputy may rest assured that it is our full intention to move forward on this.

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