Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 6 July 2016, if he still considers that the 31,000 places target by 2020 on existing and new apprenticeships is achievable given the current projections for the 2016 to 2018 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Annual registrations increased by 40% from 2013 to 2014 and the 2015 figure of 3,153 represented a further 17% increase. The increase in registrations is forecast to be sustained up to at least 2018. This will result in continuing growth in the apprenticeship population in the existing trades. I understand that SOLAS will review and extend its forecasts later this year. In addition, the apprenticeship population will be further significantly supplemented by registrations on new apprenticeships which are being developed under the auspices of the Apprenticeship Council.

SOLAS and the Council are developing a plan that will set out how the Programme for Government commitments will be delivered through the expansion of apprenticeship into a range of new areas and through registrations in the existing trades. This will include managing the pipeline of new apprenticeships already identified by the Apprenticeship Council, including those in categories 2 and 3 and looking at the timing and nature of new calls for proposals. I expect this plan to be finalised in early September.

The achievement of these ambitious targets will require commitment from a number of key stakeholders and is dependent on strong employer demand. However, I am confident that we will deliver on our targets and that learners, employers and our economy and society will benefit strongly as a result.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 6 July 2016, when he will publish details of category 2 and 3 proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As set out in my reply on the 6 July 2016, consortia engaged with the call for proposals on the basis that details would only be published when proposals are approved for progression to a detailed planning stage. I expect to receive a plan from SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council in later this year that sets out how the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to apprenticeship will be delivered. This will address issues such as how category 2 and 3 proposals will be progressed and the potential timing of future calls for proposals.