Apprenticeship training fees
Deputy McGrath objects to apprentices being charged €700 to €1,500 for training modules; the Tánaiste suggests raising the matter with the relevant Minister and refers to the apprenticeship-system review.
It is under the employment permits Bill. They are being charged between €700 and €1,500 in these hard-pressed times. They are trying to do the best for themselves by upskilling. They have companies to employ them but they are being charged a fee for the modules in college on top of everything else.
Comment on this
I do not have a date for the medical practitioners (amendment) (No. 2) Bill. The other issue raised by Deputy McGrath should probably be raised by way of a parliamentary question to the Minister for Health. With regard to apprenticeships, the Minister for Education and Skills published a review of the apprenticeship system and I am sure he would welcome any observation Deputy Mattie McGrath has on it.