Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role of SOLAS in ensuring that employers who take on apprentices under the supervision of SOLAS are compliant with employment law in respect of the rights and entitlements of the apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27866/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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SOLAS have a role in approving companies for the purposes of taking on apprentices.

I am informed by SOLAS that a company wishing to register an apprentice is assessed to ensure its suitability to train apprentices in the specified craft. To be deemed suitable, an employer must hold a qualification in the relevant trade or have in their employment a qualified craftsperson. The employer must be in a position to provide the apprentice with the opportunity to engage in the full range of work as outlined in the curriculum and provide the necessary tools and equipment to enable them to do so. The employer must also agree to fulfil their obligations when the apprentice is 'on-the-job' as outlined in the curriculum. On approval the employer is entitled to employ the apprentice in the specified craft.

I am informed that as the apprentice is an employee of the company he/she is entitled to the same protection as any other employee under current employment legislation, save for where specific provisions such as those relating to the minimum wage, do not apply to apprentices. However, SOLAS does not have a specific role in ensuring that companies are compliant in employment law.