Written Answers Nos. 241-245
241. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of weeks of on-the-job training undertaken by craft apprentices in phase one and phase three of their apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46242/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether craft apprentices undertake on-the-job training apart from in phase one and phase three of their apprenticeships, if so the number of weeks undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46243/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of hours per week of on-the-job training undertaken by craft apprentices in phase one and phase three of their apprenticeships; the number of weeks duration they undertake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the months of the year during which on-the-job training is undertaken by craft apprentices in phase one and phase three of their apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46245/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 242, 243 and 244 together.
Craft apprenticeships are typically structured across seven phases, with Phases 1, 3, 5 and 7 comprising on-the-job training, and Phases 2, 4 and 6 delivered off-the-job in ETBs or Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
On-the-job training is not limited to Phases 1 and 3, but also takes place in Phases 5 and 7. For most craft apprenticeships, the minimum on-the-job durations are 3 months (Phase 1), 6 months (Phase 3), 6 months (Phase 5) and 3 months (Phase 7), totalling approximately 78 weeks. These are minimum requirements only and may vary slightly by programme.
Apprenticeship programmes throughout the year, and on-the-job training may therefore take place in any month. In accordance with the Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices, a standard on-the-job training week consists of 5 days at 7.8 hours per day (39 hours per week).
245. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied). [46221/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of Irish at an official level is an integral part of the efforts being made to ensure that the language is passed to future generations. In this context, my Department is taking an active role in the efforts to support the status of Irish as an official and working language of the European Union by working to increase the number of Irish-speaking officials, including translators and interpreters, in the EU Institutions through various measures.
Indeed, this year is a very important time, with Ireland holding the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026. In this context, the Government is placing particular emphasis on the active use of Irish during the Presidency, and the language services in the European institutions will be used extensively in this important work.
With regard to the challenges faced by individual institutions in the provision of language services, a working group, chaired by my Department, for 'Careers in Interpreting in the EU Institutions and in the Houses of the Oireachtas' was established earlier this year following discussions between officials from the Department, the European Parliament and Rannóg an Aistriúcháin in the Houses of the Oireachtas. This group is working to resolve the challenges facing the European Parliament and the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in relation to translation and interpretation services in the Irish language context.
Earlier this year, I took the opportunity of meeting senior officials from the European Parliament in order to emphasise the importance of this work to the Irish State and to demonstrate a commitment to having any outstanding issues resolved on an incremental basis over the coming years.
