Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to retain the FÁS four year apprenticeship training schemes in their current format in view of the FÁS/vocational education committee convergence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Action Plan for Jobs my Department is committed to reviewing the Irish Apprenticeship training model, with a view to providing an updated model of training that delivers the necessary skilled workforce to service the needs of a rapidly changing economy and ensures an appropriate balance between supply and demand. This review is currently underway in the Department of Education and Skills and has been undertaken in two phases.

The first stage was the preparation of a background issues paper which includes a factual description of the current system, including the governance arrangements, trends and forecasts in relation to recruitment, identified strengths and weaknesses of the current model and identifies the range of possible options for change, as well as information on models of apprenticeship in other countries. In 2013 it is proposed that the second phase of the review will involve consultation with all key stakeholders on the options for change. The arrangements for this phase of the review are currently being considered.