asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to a Press report (details supplied) regarding difficulties in connection with training for apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department have had consultations with the Department of Labour in connection with problems existing in relation to the implementation of the proposed off-the-job apprentice scheme. It is anticipated that suitable arrangements may be made in conjunction with AnCO for the phased introduction of the scheme on the basis of the Department of Education having responsibility for the educational content and of AnCO being responsible for the vocational training content of the programme during the first year of the apprentice course.

Having regard to the pressure which the implementation of this new scheme will put on space, what provision has been made to cater for the hundreds of additional students who will have to be looked after?

Does the Deputy mean those coming through AnCO or the vocational schools or apprentices generally?

Apprentices.

There are discussions going on at present about this in the Department of Labour. It is thought that the arrangement we will come to is that my Department will accept these students and the cost involved in training them, for the education element of their course, and AnCO will accept them for the practical side of their course.

Was the report which appeared in the newspapers in this regard correct?

Which report?

The report on which my question was based.

What point does the Deputy mean? Was it that the courses were not going ahead?

I am now being as formal as the Minister was earlier with a Deputy. In my question I referred to Press reports.

As far as I remember the report said there was a danger that these courses would not go ahead because of the dispute between the Department of Education and AnCO. Is that correct?

Yes.

I am saying now that that it is not correct.

Is there no friction?

No.

Will there be any social fund money for that?

I think there might, but I would not be absolutely sure. I will have information for the Deputy before the end of the week.

The Department of Labour are getting this money all the time. The Department of Education should try to get some now.