Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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15. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has plans to introduce an apprenticeship programme for airplane pilot training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39391/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I fully support the apprenticeship system as a means of providing the broad range of skills needed to grow Ireland's economy. Policy responsibility for the apprenticeship system lies primarily with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Apprenticeship Council and SOLAS, Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority.

The need for, development and introduction of new apprenticeships is driven by industry, in cooperation with the education and training system. The Department of Further and Higher Education and SOLAS ensures that there are structures available through which enterprise can develop and access apprenticeship, the procedures for which are outlined on www.apprenticeship.ie. I encourage the airline industry to engage with these structures should they wish to establish an airplane pilot apprenticeship programme.