Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if craftsmen may apply for exemptions from completing FÁS courses when looking for certification if they display proficiency or proof of experience at various levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27777/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I understand generally there is an exemption process for the "programme (Course) Recognition of Prior Learning RPL" which normally applies to programme entry level. There is also a separate system for exemption from "parts or all of the award, RPL" for the award. The first part of this process is conducted by FÁS which happens at the discretion of the manager of the programme. Generally this would be at a module level, however the learner can only be certified for the awards actually taken on the programme. Typically a learner would only apply for this exemption if they already had a component already certified. To apply for exemption from part of the award the learner would however have to apply to FETAC as FÁS does not have the authority to operate RPL for the award.