Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reasons the Office of Public Works has not engaged with any of the State agencies regarding ensuring places for an apprenticeship programme that would allow the many craftsmen within the OPW to be part of a training programme that would protect the crafts such as french polishing, cabinet making, carpentry upholstery and so on, that are a part of the OPW by the training apprentices in such crafts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10024/13]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a long and successful history of involvement with the State training agencies in the area of apprenticeships. Over the years the OPW has worked closely with the various bodies such as FÁS (previously ANCO), Teagasc and the colleges of technology in a variety of endeavours, ranging from the provision of training placements for redundant apprentices, to the development of craft curricula for different trades. A programme has operated to engage between 60 and 75 apprentices on a rolling basis over the last 3-4 years, with the final placement due to complete shortly. The OPW is currently reviewing its own apprenticeship requirements and should resources permit, may be in a position to recruit further apprentices later this year.