Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18784/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that for the FAS Medical Administration Traineeship a very strong emphasis is placed on informing the applicants at the outset about the qualification level and particularly the duration of the programme. The Traineeship is delivered over a 49 week period which includes 39 weeks In Centre and 10 weeks on the job work practice in a medical administration environment. Applicants are asked to highlight on a questionnaire, if they have any pre-planned arrangements that may interfere with their attendance at the programme. In order to make a full commitment to the programme this can result in applicants asking to have a place reserved on the next occurrence of the programme. The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 provides that employees are entitled to Annual Leave but the Act is limited to employees. There are a limited number of FÁS courses of this duration. The issue of the length of these courses and the potential for introducing further breaks in them are under consideration.