Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2019

Department of Education and Skills

Apprenticeship Programmes

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request SOLAS to review its placement procedures for apprentices to the national apprenticeship centres nationally to ensure the apprentice is placed at the location that is as close as possible to a location in which his or her required course is provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4979/19]

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The SOLAS apprenticeship scheduling management system aims to call apprentices for their off-the-job training, on a longest waiting basis on the day of scheduling to the nearest available Education and Training Board or Institute of Technology. Whilst every effort is made to eliminate unnecessary travel, unfortunately for some apprentices it is impossible to avoid having to attend training facilities that are not in their locality. All apprentices are advised at their mandatory induction briefings of the scheduling process.

In situations where apprentices are required to move from their current place of residence, in order to take up an offer of a training place, they are entitled to make an application for an accommodation allowance, in addition to their weekly training allowance, for the duration of the course.

I am informed by SOLAS that they are unaware of any particular issues with regard to the scheduling of off the job training in the locations referenced. However, if the Deputy would like to supply further details I will ask SOLAS to examine the matter.

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