Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation Maurice Quinlivan TD today said that the government is failing to deliver on the promised apprenticeship reform and expansion, as figures obtained by him show the government is missing its own targets by a considerable margin.
Speaking today the Limerick City TD said;
“Figures released to me in response to a Parliamentary Question show that only 335 people took part in newly established apprenticeship programmes last year, significantly missing the government’s own target of 800 for 2017.
“In addition, only 9 of the promised 15 new apprenticeship programmes were introduced last year.
“To miss the number of new registrations by 58%, and only deliver 40% of the promised new programmes is totally unacceptable, and shows a complete lack of effort and priority.
“Last year, I got a response from a Parliamentary Question outlining an estimated apprenticeship budget for 2018 of €135.3 million. A later response outlined that the actual budget for 2018 would be €122 million, over €13 million less in funding.
“It appears that funding for apprenticeships has become a casualty of Fine Gael’s €335 million tax giveaway budget, and I have no doubt the targets will be missed again this year as a result.
“Evidence of this can already be seen in the fact that, despite being 5 months into 2018, only 3% of the government’s target of new registrations for this year, have been achieved to date.
“The need for more apprenticeship places and alternative programmes is clear. We need to increase this method of training and education, not just to give young people more tertiary education options, but also to equip Ireland with the skilled workers needed for growing and emerging industries.
”We have to establish apprenticeships as a real alternative career choice for people, we need to champion this method of education and training.” Deputy Quinlivan concluded.
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