Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the redundancy apprentice scheme to enable young apprentices to finish their trade and financed through FÁS has been abolished; if the scheme has been replaced with another similar scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36140/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the redundancy apprentice scheme to enable young apprentices to finish their trade and financed through FÁS has been abolished. [36128/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 179 together.

The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) was introduced in February 2011 to provide support to redundant apprentices to complete the minimum duration of on-the-job training with assessments at Phase 3, Phase 5 or Phase 7 of the Standards Based Apprenticeship Programme. This scheme has not been abolished. The budget allocation for the scheme for 2011 has been fully committed and consequently FÁS is not in a position to issue any further contracts at present. I understand however that FÁS is continuing to take applications for the scheme pending the allocation of the 2012 budget.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial options available to young apprentices to enable them to finish their apprenticeship when they do not meet the criteria for the internship scheme. [36141/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial options available to young apprentices to enable them to finish their apprenticeship when they do not meet the criteria for the internship scheme. [36129/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 180 together.

I understand from FÁS that redundant apprentices are paid a weekly training allowance when attending the following programmes to progress their apprenticeship training: Redundant Apprentices scheduled to off-the job training at Phase 2, Phase 4 or Phase 6 in a FÁS Training Centre, an Institute of Technology or a College of Further Education; Redundant Apprentices attending the FÁS Competency Determination Mechanism to complete their apprenticeships where they have not completed the minimum of 4 years in employment as an apprentice; Redundant Apprentices attending Phase 7 Equivalent Assessment in a FÁS Training Centre, where the apprentice is unable to source employment to complete Phase 7; Redundant Apprentices attending specific skills trade related training courses in a FÁS Training Centre; Redundant Apprentices attending Refresher Programme for Redundant Referred Apprentices in the Institutes of Technology; Redundant Apprentices attending the Certificate in Transferable Skills in the Institutes of Technology. In addition under a Fee Waiver Scheme, course fees will be waived for redundant apprentices who attend FÁS day and/or evening courses in order to enhance their employable skills.