Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 20 May 2020, his plans for apprentices who have to complete assessments which are of a practical nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9614/20]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 I would like to reiterate that the Department of Education and Skills, SOLAS and the education and training providers are actively working to put in place alternative learning and assessment solutions for apprentices including practical assessments while maintaining the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship programme. 

Assessments for theory components of those craft apprenticeship programmes which were due to be completed in March of this year will be delivered in June and communications have issued to the relevant apprentices.  Planning is well advanced to support the delivery of practical assessments within health and social distancing guidelines once public health considerations provide for the return to training for this cohort of learners. The issue of the timing of that return is under consideration at the current time, in the overall context of the reopening of the education sector. 

Apprentices who have been prevented in engaging in their on-the-job or off-the-job training by the Covid-19 restrictions will not have their apprenticeship temporarily or otherwise suspended. The national restrictions will not affect apprentices’ record of time-served, where relevant.

SOLAS will continue to provide ongoing updates for apprentices and employers in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on apprenticeship programmes. These may be found at www.apprenticeship.ie and also on Twitter @apprenticesirl.