Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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354. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that participation rates for members of the Traveller community are not available for the apprenticeship system; and if he will consider gathering such data to ensure participation rates are monitored and improved. [37790/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I understand from SOLAS that they have no plans to ask employers to capture and submit information around whether the apprentices they employ are members of the travelling community.

As set out in the Action Plan to Extend Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland 2016-2020, a review will be undertaken of the pathways to participation in apprenticeship for a range of diverse groups, including members of the travelling community, and in light of the broadening of the apprenticeship system into new areas. The review will be completed in 2018.

Overall, the Further Education and Training (FET) sector made provision for over 330,000 beneficiaries in 2016. The FET Strategy has a strong focus on active inclusion and this is the subject of one of the five strategy goals.

In the context of the annual FET service planning process that takes place between SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), ETBs are required to consider the needs of a broad range of learners and disadvantaged groups, including members of the travelling community.

This is reinforced through the identification of Travellers as a priority target group within various programmes. For example, this is set out in the operational guidelines for the Back to Education Initiative and the Adult Literacy Service.