Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for her decision to cut the FÁS apprenticeship budget by €36 million over the next 18 months, particularly at a time when there is a need to retrain and upskill workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30921/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The budget for FÁS is agreed on the basis of detailed discussions between FÁS, my Department and the Department of Finance in the context of the annual Estimates process. The combined Exchequer and National Training Funds originally allocated to apprenticeship training by FÁS for 2008 amounted to approximately €134m. This figure was based on an estimated demand level for training. This figure was subsequently revised downwards by €5.6m to take account of the 40% fall in new apprenticeship registrations for the eight months of 2008 compared with the same period last year.

Discussions concerning the 2009 budget are still ongoing. Funding will be provided for apprenticeship training on the basis of anticipated demand and the demand level will be closely monitored during the year so that any necessary adjustments can be made.