Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider introducing a scheme to support businesses in providing internships or apprenticeships specifically to early school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53632/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides education and training programmes directed at unemployed young early school leavers aged 15-21 through Youthreach and Community Training Centre Programmes. They offer participants the opportunity to identify and pursue viable options within adult life and provide them with opportunities for personal and social development education and training while pursuing nationally accredited qualifications. Participation can last between one and two years.

Apprenticeship is open to participants aged 16 and over with a Junior Certificate. The State funds the provision of the off-the-job phases of apprenticeship and pays training allowances to apprentices during those phases. My Department is currently in the process of carrying out a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship System. An independent Apprenticeship Review Group was established earlier this year and it is expected that the Review Group will produce recommendations to my Department by the end of the year.