Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no college classroom places for apprenticeship plumbers and that they are obliged to remain out of education for one academic year; his plans to rectify the matter; the way in which he plans to ensure that they have the required taught hours component of their qualifications; the way in which he further plans to address the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29706/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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532 apprentices registered for the plumbing apprenticeship in 2017, which represents an increase of 54% on the 2016 intake.  I understand from SOLAS that due to this increased level of interest it is taking some time to ensure training provision can match this demand. SOLAS has engaged with the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to increase training places in the ETB’s and the Institutes of Technology (IOTs). By December 2018, up to 476 training places will be available in the ETB’s and over 528 in the IOT’s.

The minimum duration of the plumbing apprenticeship is four years, consisting of seven phases, each with a specific minimum duration in order to meet the certification requirements.  There are 96 apprentice plumbers currently waiting for Phase 2 places with 21 waiting just over six months.  These apprentices will receive a training place by October/November.  Approximately 210 apprentices are waiting for Phase 4 and 6 training places, with 56 over six months waiting. 176 of these will be notified within the next month to commence their Phase 4 and Phase 6 training in September 2018.  The remaining 34 apprentices will receive places in January 2019.

SOLAS will continue to monitor training provision and monthly apprentice registrations to ensure that apprentices complete their apprenticeships within the minimum duration.