Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, as a measure to help tackle Ireland's high level of youth unemployment, she has examined the merits of introducing a scheme which is similar to the corporate apprenticeship scheme which is operated by the Italian Government since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4216/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs initiative my predecessor appointed an independent group to carry out a review of the Irish Apprenticeship system to determine whether the current model should be retained, adapted or replaced.

The first stage of the review process involved the preparation of a background issues paper. and part of the process involved an examination of the structure of apprenticeship systems in Germany, Finland, Norway and Switzerland.

The independent Review Group then undertook a substantial consultation process with all major stakeholders as well as inviting submissions from members of the public. The subsequent report of the Review Group made a number of recommendations regarding the reform of existing apprenticeships and the extension of the apprenticeship model into new enterprise areas.

I appointed a new Apprenticeship Council in November 2014. The Apprenticeship Council formally invited proposals for new apprenticeship programmes from consortia of enterprise, professional bodies and education and training providers on the 16th January 2015. The proposals will be assessed by the Apprenticeship Council against a range of sustainability and deliverability criteria before recommendations are submitted to my Department.