Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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659. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the situation for those who have passed the screening process for the fast-track to information technology, FIT, tech apprenticeship programme; the reason many of these young persons have not been given access to the classroom-based modules of the course; and if he will consider whether they can be given this access. [1060/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Apprenticeships are primarily a contract of employment and it is only once employment has been obtained that an individual may formally register as an apprentice with SOLAS and progress through the programme.

FastTrack to Information Technology (FIT) is responsible for coordinating three ICT apprenticeships: ICT Associate Software Developer, Network Engineer, and Cybersecurity. The consortium for these national apprenticeships have incorporated an advance screening approach to determine an individual's overall suitability for the programme prior to presenting candidates to employers. Once the pre-screening has been completed, a final decision to employ an apprentice rests with individual employers.