Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding SOLAS courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17748/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. Consequently, the number of apprentices being registered is determined by employers in the sector. 

As part of the ongoing review of apprenticeship in Ireland SOLAS has conducted standards development and programme reviews for 23 of the existing craft trade apprenticeship programmes. As part of this review and in response to the lack of sufficient numbers registering for both the tiling and the plastering apprenticeships it was decided to amalgamate both programmes and registrations for the floor and wall tiling programme were suspended in April 2014. 

I am informed by SOLAS that the new amalgamated programme is currently in the process of validation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland and will be rolled out thereafter.