Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 24 September 2008, the position regarding the series of actions outlined in her reply to facilitate redundant apprentices in completing their studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12651/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and FÁS have been continually monitoring the trends in apprenticeship. A number of measures are being put in place to assist apprentices who have become redundant in completing their apprenticeship. These measures are providing assistance to over 2,600 redundant apprentices. These include the following.

FÁS Employment Services Division is focusing on assisting redundant apprentices to source employment, in order that they can complete their apprenticeship by receiving on-the-job training and undertaking the associated competence based assessments.

The scheduling rules for off-the-job training were amended to permit redundant apprentices to progress in their apprenticeships to the next off-the-job phase. This change in the scheduling rules has permitted 428 apprentices to attend phase 4 and phase 6 off-the-job training in 2008 and 398 apprentices attended off-the-job training in the term January 2009 to March 2009.

The scheduling of apprentices for term 3, commencing on 6th April, 2009, is expected to provide for at least 700 apprentices to attend Phase 4 and Phase 6 off-the-job training in the Institutes of Technology.

115 redundant apprentices are currently attending phase 2 training and a further 47 are expected to be called to attend training over the next number of weeks.

The Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme will provide for up to 500 places during 2009 and currently there are over 90 redundant apprentices placed with eligible employers.

FÁS and ESB Networks have agreed to the placement of 400 redundant electrical apprentices during 2009/2010, for redundant apprentices at phase 5 and phase 7. The first group of 22 apprentices commenced their on-the-job placement with ESB Networks on 23/3/09.

Léargas provided part funding for redundant apprentices for the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing and Brick & Stonelaying to be placed with employers in Germany to complete their phase 7 on-the-job assessments. Twenty redundant apprentices are currently in Germany placed with German employers.

A handbook/travel guide is in development for apprentices who gain employment overseas

My Department and FÁS will continue to monitor the situation and trends closely and will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that redundant apprentices will have every opportunity to complete their apprenticeship and gain a craft qualification.