Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the educational skills and requirements of the workplace continue to be met in line with workplace requirements; the extent to which apprenticeships remain a feature of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44744/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department has a number of strategies and initiatives in place to ensure that further education and training meets the skills requirements of the workplace. SOLAS with the assistance of relevant experts such as the ESRI, employers and local and national organisations have published a five year strategy for the further education and training sector which provides us with a strategic roadmap for this crucial element of the education and training system. The strategy includes a vision of a flexible, quality-driven, labour market-relevant, integrated and responsive sector that supports learner progression, transitions into employment and personal development.

In addition to the 5 year Strategy, SOLAS has published a first ever integrated Further Education and Training Services Plan for 2014 and it provides information on the range of further education and training funded by the Irish Government and it will set out in detail how the State's investment in 2014 will be used by SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards to meet the skills needs of learners and employers.

The Government recognises the importance of a modern well-functioning apprenticeship system in meeting skills needs and supporting economic growth. As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative my Department undertook a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the current model should be retained, adapted or replaced. The review was tasked with taking into account the needs of both learners and industry and to ensure that we have a value for money system that is cost effective and sustainable into the future.

An independent Review Group undertook a substantial consultation process with all major Stakeholders as well as inviting submissions from members of the public. 69 written submissions were received by the review group in that context. The report of the Independent Review Group made a number of recommendations regarding a new structure for Apprenticeship, which is envisaged as being relevant to a much wider group of enterprise sectors. Recommendations were also made in relation to current apprenticeships.

Following on from the Review an Apprenticeship Implementation Plan was published on the 30th June 2014. As part of this plan a new Apprenticeship Council has been established. The Council is enterprise led and have representatives from business, trade unions, further and higher education bodies. The first meeting of the Council took place on 18 November. The first job of work of the new Apprenticeship Council is to make a call for proposals from industry for new apprenticeships. This call for proposals is expected to be made before the end of 2014.