Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. As we know, apprenticeship is vital as part of skills development for the building and construction sector. FÁS, despite considerable criticism in some other areas, has delivered on the programme of training in this area for a considerable period and has provided a steady stream of trained and suitable personnel for this sector. While we all know of the decline of the sector and the impact it has had on the economy, we must keep the focus on the longer-term position, namely, that the skills involved will be required, albeit with a much greater focus, in years to come.

There is some degree of uncertainty as to how these courses will be delivered in the immediate and the medium term. FÁS is delivering the courses at present but there is some suggestion that the institutes of technology might take over responsibility for them. It goes without saying that students, tutors and lecturers would like clarification on this as quickly as possible. I will not labour the point. I am sure the Minister of State understands the need for information. My case rests and perhaps he will advise us.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the current position of the Department of Education and Skills. The standard based apprenticeship programme is an alternance training and education programme for employed apprentices for which FÁS has statutory responsibility. The training and education programme generally comprises three off-the-job phases and four on-the-job phases. The off-the-job training and education is generally provided by FÁS at phase 2, and phase 4 and phase 6 are provided by the institutes of technology and colleges of further education.

The registration of apprentices, including in the carpentry and joinery trade, by employers has reduced considerably since 2005 due to the reduction in the level of activity in the construction sector. In 2010 an interdepartmental working group and FÁS undertook a detailed forecast of the number of apprentices that would be expected to be recruited by employers in the period up to 2014. This forecast is currently being updated to provide a forecast to 2015, taking account of the changes in the level of economic activity that have taken place since the report was commissioned and the lower level of registrations experienced to date. It is expected that a draft forecast report of apprentice intake for the period up to 2015 will be available in September 2011.

Traditionally, the trade of carpenter and joiner provided the highest employment among all of the designated trades. Employment reached its peak in 2007 at 43,400, which is almost double the level recorded in 1998. The apprentice recruitment levels in the construction and joinery trade began to contract two years earlier than the employment stock. The apprentice intake level, unlike the trend in employment, reached its peak level of 2,127 in 2005 and declined thereafter to 138 in 2009. Based on forecasts of apprentice registrations, the training capacity provided for the off-the-job training is agreed with the training providers based on the current population of apprentices progressing through their apprenticeship as well as the current and future forecast registrations expected from employers.

The capacity for phase 2 training in carpentry and joinery for 2011 is eight courses, comprising 112 places. The capacity for phase 2 in carpentry and joinery for 2012 will depend on the level of registrations by employers. The capacity for phase 4 and phase 6 for the academic year 2010-11 is 102 blocks, comprising 1,632 places, to provide for the progression of the current apprentice population. The capacity planned for phase 4 and phase 6 for the academic year 2011-12 is 30 blocks, or 480 places, and this lower level is based on the apprentice population now expected to progress and accounts for the lower level of registrations in the previous two years.

The Department, in conjunction with FÁS and other relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor and assess the apprenticeship capacity requirements for all trades, including carpentry and joinery. I again thank the Deputy for allowing me the opportunity to outline the Department's position relating to this area.