Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be the first to recognise that we need to invest further in apprenticeships, not only the traditional ones, but also new ones. The Deputy must make an allowance for the fact that we are experiencing 20% growth per annum in the number of people participating in apprenticeships. This is a rapid expansion. While I would be disappointed to hear of some of the experiences to which the Deputy referred, that is in the context of us delivering for a higher intake.

In early 2015 and in conjunction with SOLAS, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, formally extended a suite of professional award-type descriptors to carpentry, joinery, electrical, plumbing, metal fabrication and heavy vehicle mechanic apprenticeships and adopted standards regarding these. In September 2015, QQI validated new curricula for these trades, which have been implemented since April 2016. Accordingly, instructors' ability to deliver these curricula would have to be validated. If the Deputy wants to supply me with the details of cases in which it is believed that people without adequate qualifications are providing course instruction, I will investigate them.

Like other sectors, this sector's capacity to respond has been affected by the moratorium on recruitment. My Department is in discussion with the education and training boards, ETBs, regarding some elements of the moratorium in order to ensure that, as we meet the emerging skill needs in our economy, we are in a position to deal with any shortage that might arise in respect of tutors.

See this speech in context