Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects the education system at all levels to be in a position to meet the skills demand in the workplace; the extent to which apprenticeships are likely to impact on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10749/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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A number of my Department's policies and strategies acknowledge that the development of the skills of those at work will play a key role in the sustainable growth of our economy and society.  The National Skills Strategy 2025, the Action Plan for Education, The SOLAS Further Education and Training Strategy, the Regional Skills Fora and Skillnets all have objectives that pertain to identifying and addressing the skills needs of employers and the workplace.

Measures such as the Further Education and Training Policy Framework for Workforce Development currently being developed by SOLAS is also a key Strategy that will identify and help address the skills demand in the workplace.  

In relation to apprenticeships, The Action Plan for Education commits to achieving 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship registrations in the period to 2020, a doubling of current activity levels. An Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Ireland 2016-2020 was published in January 2017.