Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding training of apprentices for the Defence Forces; the number of such apprentices trained on an annual basis in the past 12 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46610/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Following the closure of the Army Apprentice School in 1998, and in order to ensure the availability of the requisite levels of technical skills in the Defence Forces, a Trainee Technician Scheme and an Apprentice Scheme were introduced. Personnel already serving in the Defence Forces enter the Trainee Technician Scheme while civilian personnel who join the Defence Forces to begin their technical training enter the Apprentice Scheme. Training under the Schemes consists of an integrated package of military training and technical training in the appropriate trade, the latter of which is provided in association with FÁS.

The duration of both Schemes is four years and, on successful completion, personnel graduate in line with the National Framework of Qualifications. Details of the number of individuals who completed training under the Trainee Technician and Apprentice Schemes in each of the years between 2000, the earliest date for which figures are available, and 30 November 2010 are provided in the following tabular statement.

Trainee Technician and Apprentice Schemes, 1 January 2000 - 30 November 2010