Apprentices who have been made redundant are being given the opportunity to complete their training under a €7 million scheme which will fund 1,000 places in the public and private sectors according to Wexford Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State, Sean Connick.

“We have changed the method of support, making it more attractive and affordable for employers to take on a redundant apprentice.  It was the case that FÁS provided a €250 weekly wage contribution to an employer who has taken a redundant apprentice on a work placement.  The employer would then bring the apprentice’s wages up to agreed industry rates dependant on their phasing.  However Fianna Fáil has ensured that employers will not have to supplement a redundant apprentice’s wages and instead FÁS will pay a standard training rate to all apprentices irrespective of their employer being in the public or private sector.”

“The weekly training rates are: €260 (Phase 3), €350 (Phase 5) and €400 (Phase 7).”

“As a direct result of Fianna Fáil’s commitment to education and training, the Redundant Apprentices Placement Scheme is being expanded to encompass work placement in the public as well as the private sector.”

“Public sector employers such as the Health and Safety Executive, the local authorities and the Office of Public Works are now included in order to provide the widest possible range of employers.  They are in a position to give redundant apprentices on-the-job placements at Phases 3, 5 and 7 of the apprenticeship cycle.”

“We have taken this action in recognition of the fact that less private sector businesses are in a position to take on apprentices.”

“Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring all our young people have an opportunity to complete their training and put them in the strongest possible position to benefit from the recovery in the economy.  We have clear and realistic plans for sustainable job creation and we want as many people as possible to benefit from these opportunities,” concluded Minister Connick.

ENDS

The Agri-food sector is key for growth and jobs according to Wexford Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Sean Connick.

“The agri-food sector is a growing and dynamic sector and we have seen the potential for employment so I was happy to hear our party leader Micheál Martin draw attention to the importance of the sector at the launch of our jobs strategy for the agri-food sector.”

“The agri-food sector as very traditional but the industry actually forms a dynamic and world-leading sector which employs over 160,000 people in Ireland.”

“Fianna Fáil are committed to creating thousands of new jobs through a range of measures including advanced research and opening up new export markets.”

“There are a number of key elements in our plan including supporting a well-resourced CAP Post-2013 to ensure that our farmers and processors are able to meet new challenges and ensure that the EU maintains a strong agricultural production base.”

“It is essential that the key recommendations of Fianna Fáil’s Food Harvest 2020 are implemented for the future development of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector which will create thousands of jobs. Fianna Fáil also plan to provide direct capital supports for marketing and processing.”

“Fianna Fáil believes very strongly that the agri-food sector will play a key role in our economic recovery.  Irish beef is now sold in more supermarkets in more countries than beef of any other origin.  Irish production of infant formula feeds one in seven children across the globe at present.  This figure will continue to rise with the three largest global producers operating Irish bases.” 

“Exports are absolutely essential to Ireland’s economic recovery and exports from the agri-food sector to almost €8billion in 2010 and Fianna Fáil is confident that that there is huge potential for growth in the sector. Our strong policies will assist in growing the area.”

“Fianna Fáil believes that a series of ambitious targets are achievable by 2020 including increasing the value of the output in agriculture, fisheries and forestry by €1.5 billion and increasing the value added by €3 billion and achieving an export target for €12 billion for the sector.”

“Fianna Fáil has confidence in the future of the Irish agriculture and agri-food sectors. Farm families are the backbone of rural communities and the contribution they make is vital. Likewise the agri-food sector provide essential employment and I am hopeful for the future with Fianna Fáil plans,” concluded Minister Connick.

ENDS

Ireland has changed its voting position to vote in favour of a number of proposals from the EU Commission to support Irish farmers and help to reduce the cost of feed according to Wexford Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Sean Connick.

“The increasing cost of feed has been a concern for local farmers. Margins are tight for farmers and every little increase in price makes a huge difference. The use of genetically modified feed has the potential to reduce that cost considerably. The types of GM varieties that will be used have applied to the European Commission and have been given a positive opinion by the European Food Safety Authority, an opinion that is backed up by the Irish Food Safety Authority.”

“At a meeting of the EU Commission Ireland changed its voting position to vote in favour of a number of proposals from the EU Commission authorising the placing on the market of food, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize and cotton. Previous to this Ireland abstained on votes on this issue during the life-time of this current Government.”

“Ireland is the most dependent country in the EU on imported animal feed because of our livestock numbers so it makes sense to me that Fianna Fáil in Government voted in this way.”

“Over 90% of the protein feed for Ireland’s livestock comes from soya and maize by-products imported from north and south America practically all of which contains GM varieties. The separation of the GM and non-GM feed was leading to a significant increase in the cost of the feed. This led to a decline in the use of maize by-products and the use of much more expensive alternative protein ingredients.”

“Increased costs to Irish farmers puts them at a competitive disadvantage. Farmers and farm families form the backbone of the rural economy and the knock-on effects of their businesses succeeding can be felt far beyond the farm gate. This is why it is vital that we give every practical support to Irish farmers. I am confident that Ireland changing our vote to support the use of feed containing GM maize will have a positive impact,” concluded Minister Connick.

ENDS