Alcohol and apprenticeship Bills
Peter Fitzpatrick asks when the sale of alcohol and apprenticeship Bills will be published; the Minister expects the alcohol Bill next year and says apprenticeship legislation is being developed alongside new apprenticeship schemes.
I refer to the sale of alcohol Bill, which is to codify the law relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol. When does the Minister expect its publication? In addition, the apprenticeship Bill is to provide for the protection and responsibility applying to the employer and apprentices with the introduction of the new apprenticeships. When can Members expect this to be published?
Comment on this
The sale of alcohol Bill will be published next year and work is ongoing on the apprenticeship Bill. However, as the Deputy is aware, 25 proposals have been accepted by the Government and they are being fast-tracked. I understand they will involve an intake of 1,500 new apprentices in those entirely new apprenticeship areas. It is a very exciting area and one on which the Minister should be commended. The Bill will underpin this in due course.