Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the reduction in the number of apprentices registered with FÁS, which has fallen from 29,273 in 2006 to 23,382 in 2008, while the number of newly registered apprentices has fallen over the same period from 8,315 to 3,798; her views on whether it is important to maintain training of apprentices during a period of recession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44900/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Given the significant reduction we have witnessed in construction related activity this year it is no surprise that we have also witnessed a similar reduction in the total number of apprentices registered with FÁS and the number of new apprentice registrations this year. However, as apprenticeship is a demand driven education and training programme for employed people it is clear that employers play a key role in ensuring that they recruit apprentices now in order to meet their future skills requirements.

Recent Government forecasts for construction activity indicate that there will be a sharp decline in employment in the construction sector and particularly in new house building in 2008 and 2009. However, these forecasts also indicate that a sharp recovery of 6% is projected for construction output and employment from 2010 onwards.

Based on these forecasts it is important that we continue to train apprentices in order to avoid potential skills shortages in future years. It takes at least four years to fully train an apprentice. Therefore, it would be prudent for those employers that are in a position to do so, to take a longer-term view if they are to take full advantage of the upturn in construction sector.

For its part the Government has over recent years invested significant resources in developing our apprenticeship system to create capacity to meet the needs of industry.