asked the Minister for Labour if he has received proposals from the Director-General of AnCO in relation to the educational release of apprentices undergoing one year off-the-job training in training centres; and, if so, if he will outline the nature of the proposals.

9.

asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the concern expressed in educational circles regarding the educational release of apprentices from the AnCO training centres.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. Educational release for apprentices was provided for in the AnCO proposals for a new apprenticeship scheme published in October 1975. These proposals had as their objective the provision of more effective training for apprentices both by way of formal instruction and on-the-job experience. After widespread discussion and consultation with the relevant interests, these proposals were adopted and the new apprenticeship scheme came into operation on 1 October 1976.

One of the provisions of that scheme was that apprentices would be released to the vocational education sector for formal instruction for at least one day per week during the academic year of 36 weeks or, alternatively, be provided with such formal instruction on block release for an equivalent period during the first three years of their apprenticeship. The question of the appropriate educational release for apprentices is now being reviewed by officers of the Department of Education, my Department and of AnCO.

Could the Minister say how long the review will take?

The review is already in progress. Discussions have taken place and I am optimistic that we will fairly shortly have a concrete solution to the problem that has arisen.

10.