Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Higher Education Authority has decided to discontinue the teaching of carpentry apprentice classes at a college (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in particular in view of the fact that the college has the most state of the art equipment for this purpose in the country; if he will publish all relevant documentation outlining the case for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31856/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The sharp decline in apprentice recruitment and significant levels of redundancies in many apprenticeship trades over the past three years has resulted in a dramatic fall off in the number of apprentices requiring education and training in the institutes of technology and colleges of further education. The requirement for Carpentry and Joinery provision has been particularly affected, having fallen from a high of 168 blocks nationally in 2008 to an expected national requirement for 15 blocks in 2012.

In light of the collapse in demand for this trade and following close consultations with the education providers and FÁS, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has allocated Carpentry and Joinery provision to a reduced number of colleges on a regional cluster basis for the 2012/13 academic year. As part of this process some colleges, including the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB), will cease provision in this trade.

In line with the commitment in the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, a review of the apprenticeship training model is being undertaken during 2012.