57 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (a) the scope (b) the extent and (c) the purpose of the review of the Army apprenticeship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

59 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Defence whether the review of the Army Apprentice School has concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

63 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made in regard to the implementation of the recommendation of the Gleeson Report that accommodation in the Army Apprentice School should be upgraded as a matter of priority and that workshop conditions at the school be improved to ensure that they comply with standards in FÁS training establishments, as well as all health and safety legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 59 and 63 together.

The standard of accommodation and workshop conditions at the Army Apprentice School is continually monitored by the corps of engineers and such maintenance and improvements as are found necessary are carried out within the resources available for the purpose.

A review of the Army apprentice scheme is being carried out at present in consultation with FÁS. The purpose of the review is to consider how best the Defence Forces current and future requirements for tradesmen and technicians may be met. It is not possible at this stage to say when the review will be completed.