Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of apprentices with FÁS for each of the past three years; if figures are available which indicate discrepancies in regard to numbers in particular trades; if so, his plans to rectify the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29243/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years there has been a substantial overall increase in apprentice registrations. In response to this challenge, my Department, through FÁS and in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science, increased the overall capacity of training places to meet this demand. Data on apprenticeship registration in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 are set out in the table that follows.

The phase 2 off-the-job training provision is funded by my Department and provided by FÁS. The provision for phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training courses is funded by the Department of Education and Science through the network of institutes of technology. The provision requirements for all of the respective off-the-job training courses are constantly under review. FÁS liaises with my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the institutes of technology on an ongoing basis to ensure adequate capacity is available for all of the off-the-job training courses. Ultimately, the provision requirements for phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training courses in IT colleges are at the discretion and resources of the Department of Education and Science.

To address the falling number of apprentices being registered to the trades of printing, the national apprenticeship advisory committee, which advises the board of FÁS on all matters pertaining to apprenticeship and traineeship, recently endorsed the printing industry stakeholders' request to convert the trades of printing to a three-year apprenticeship from a four-year apprenticeship. The industry stakeholders are reviewing the respective trades of printing curricula to ensure the curricula reflect the new three-year structure.