84 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps which have been taken to resolve the apprenticeship problems identified in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; if the promised special task team has yet been established; when it is likely to report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26563/00]

103 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions her Department has had with their counterparts in the Department of Education and Science in relation to the provision of additional capacity for phase four and phase six apprentices with FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26655/00]

143 Mr. L. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to improve the timeliness of the provision of off-job training at phases two, four and six of the apprentices system run by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26705/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 103 and 143 together.

Framework IV of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness identified a problem in the timely provision of training for apprentices, the consequent backlogs which had arisen and undertook that progress which had been made in addressing these problems would be reviewed at end September 2000.