John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his policy in relation to assisting apprentices who are now unemployed and have not through any fault of theirs completed their apprenticeships; if funding has been made available to assist organisations in this area; where applicants should apply for such assistance; if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be examined with a view to assisting them to complete their apprenticeship; the number of such persons that have been assisted to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21900/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that the level of new FÁS apprentice entrants (registrations) by employers reduced significantly in the period 2006-2011 from 8,306 to 1,307. There was a slight increase in registrations from 1,204 in 2010 to 1,307 in 2011. In 2012, FÁS apprenticeship programmes will continue to be provided for an estimated 1,200 new registrants and more generally for an existing apprentice population of approximately 13,000 at various stages of their apprenticeship. To assist redundant apprentices to complete their apprenticeship FÁS has put the following interim measures in place:

The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) provides opportunities for redundant apprentices to complete the minimum duration for off-the-job training and assessment with FÁS approved employers for Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the standard based apprenticeship programme. The scheme provides apprentices with a weekly training allowance to complete the minimum period of 26 weeks at Phase 3 and Phase 5 or the minimum period of 12 weeks at Phase 7. Currently there are 559 redundant apprentices on the scheme with employers, with 31 having completed their training and assessments.

A change in rules to allow progression without completing on-the-job elements and to recognise prior learning have been developed to tackle the issue of the lack of availability of on-the-job components of apprenticeships.

FÁS has introduced a Competency Determination Mechanism (CDM) (this mechanism will provide redundant apprentices with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge against the occupational standard for the specified trade over a number of days in a FÁS Training Centre) to enable eligible redundant apprentices initially in the trades of Brick & Stonelaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plastering, Plumbing and Cabinet Making to progress towards the completion of their apprenticeship. Those who successfully pass the Competency Determination Mechanism will be progressed for the award of the FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate – Craft.

Refresher Programme for Redundant Referred Apprentices To assist referred apprentices who wish to progress, FÁS and the Institutes of Technology have developed a short duration programme to prepare redundant apprentices to repeat their outstanding assessments. This programme will be offered by the Institutes of Technology in from November 2012. 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.

If a FÁS registered apprentice's employment has been terminated due to insufficient work being available he/she should:

Inform FÁS Services to Business immediately of his/her redundant status.

Register with the local DSP Employment Services Office for assistance in securing new employment to enable him/her to continue their apprenticeship training.

Information regarding employment vacancies can also be accessed by telephoning Jobs Ireland at Freephone 1 800 611 116.

Keep FÁS Services to Business informed of all details relating to his/her apprenticeship employment with a FÁS approved employer so that this time may be credited in calculating the finish date of his/her apprenticeship.

In the Deputy's question he makes reference to a specific individual and I can confirm to the Deputy that the individual in question has been placed on the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS) with a named employer since the 23rd April, 2012.