500. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the apprenticeship council will provide her with a report of proposals for a new way of developing apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5610/15]

501. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the uptake from engagement with the enterprise sectors in promoting new apprenticeships as outlined in the apprenticeship implementation plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5611/15]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together.

Following initial communication with stakeholders in December 2014, the Apprenticeship Council formally invited proposals for new apprenticeship programmes from consortia of enterprise, professional bodies and education and training providers on the 16th January 2015. Details of the proposal process are available on www.apprenticeshipcouncil.ie.

The deadline for receipt of proposals is the 31st March 2015. The proposals will be assessed by the Apprenticeship Council against a range of sustainability and deliverability criteria before recommendations are submitted to me towards the end of the second quarter of this year.