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THE FIRST EVER apprenticeship scheme for Leinster House is being considered by the Oireachtas Commission.
Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Education and Skills Thomas Byrne said the Oireachtas could offer apprenticeships in the areas of parliamentary affairs, public administration and political communications.
“An apprenticeship programme for positions in the Houses of the Oireachtas would have a transformative effect. It will open up access to people from other backgrounds, who are currently under-represented across the two Houses, and it will boost the prestige of the apprenticeship system itself,” he told TheJournal.ie.
“It would open up politics to non-degree holders, as there are a lot of graduates working there at the moment,” he added.
In January, Education Minister Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Training and Skills John Halligan launched the government’s plan to expand apprenticeships and traineeships in Ireland, aimed at delivering 50,000 registrations by 2020.
Apprenticeship programmes
There are currently 27 apprenticeships in Ireland, in areas such as construction, engineering and the motor sector.
However, other countries like Germany, which have over 300 apprenticeships on offer, have much broader options across a wide range of sectors.
Traditionally in Ireland, apprenticeship schemes have focused on trades, however, Byrne said there is no reason why there should not be programmes available in administration, business and communications.
“We need to get that message out there, and this would be a good way to go about it,” he said, adding:
The Houses of Parliament in Britain already run apprenticeship and placements that offer practical on-the-job training. We should be doing the same in Ireland by providing access to people who don’t have a relevant degree, or political connections, to work in the Dáil and Seanad, thus enabling them to pursue further education or career progression in public affairs.
The idea is that trainees will learn skills and get hands on experience while embedded in enterprises and orgranisations.
It’s envisaged that the new parliamentary apprenticeships would be developed in partnership with a recognised third-level institution, and validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland.
Byrne said the idea has received a warm welcome from Minister Halligan. The proposal to establish the new scheme is being examined by Oireachtas human resources, while possible improvements to the operation of the internship programme in the Houses is also being examined.
A paper on the proposals will be brought to the Commission for consideration.
“It is great the idea is being looked, it’s not going to happen overnight, but I think it would be a positive move for all in Leinster House,” said Byrne.
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Wouldn’t be like the church to break the law and get away with it.
Why are the department of health commenting on priests….is there a connection??
@Sarah Cullen: Because the dept of health has become the government and the judiciary
So if I have a house party I could be fined up to €2,500 and face 6 months in prison unless I’m a priest, in which case I can hold multiple mass each week and have no fear….
@Jim Buckley Barrett: Invite a priest to the party….sorted!
@Sarah Cullen: Id’ recommend The Spinmaster, Father Billy O’Dwyer.
@Sarah Cullen: lol
@Jim Buckley Barrett: drink all the red wine you want, it’s Gods will.
We are NOT in anything together beside trying to dodge rules as much as possible as it seems.
@Vanessa: so what would you do
What about ordained jedi Knights?
So religious gatherings are ok? So the 30 people coming to mine this evening are ok because we are all members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Pastafarians, celebrating our holy day.
@NotMyIreland:
No they’re not ok, it clearly states that
@dublinguide.ie: There’s nothing clear. That’s seems to be the reason for the discussion
@dublinguide.ie: yeah but for religious reasons I couldn’t get prosecuted
@NotMyIreland: Jah …Pastafari
Why is the dept of health commented on what should be judicial matters?
I say bring back the Mass Rock Services might be cold but worth it..
There are a lot of people who miss the services of Mass..
@Sportmad: Changing bread into a Body and Wine into Blood. It’s a Good Show.
Any priest or other cleric that holds mass or service during the current restrictions, is clearly demonstrating a complete disregard for the safety of their local community.
Whether they can or should bend or fudge the measures in place to hold such gatherings isn’t a question of legal clarity, it’s a matter of moral duty and obligation to prevent the spread of covid19 within their communities.
@David Van-Standen: David, That’s nonsense, even as a non mass goer, i can sympathize with those who want mass and are being denied access to their faith, if distancing can be enforced what difference is people gathering in a church, over gathering in a supermarket??
@Michael Byrne: if their faith resides in the walls of a church and not their heart/soul/mind, then yes they have been denied access, and rightfully so. If they need to listen to a papi, they can do so online. Drink your wine and eat your bread at home. Offer your peace in spirit, not in touch. Completely agree that churches can stay shut to the public for a few weeks. It is not an essential service, since religion resides within us, not churches.
What what would you do if the church is packed to capacity and not all who want to enter can get in? If god resides in the church then who is the authorised person to say that the ones outside the church doors are not worthy enough to enter the mass but others are? Better to have no ceremony, than a ceremony for some and not all.
@Michael Byrne: so you don’t believe that priests have a duty of care for their congregations and a responsibility to protect them from a known public health threat during a pandemic?
Practising faith doesn’t require a physical place if you believe your God is omnipresent does it?
If people want to observe the ritual of a mass the tools are available to do so online and accessible to anyone with a internet connected device or phone.
On supermarkets verses church, for engaging with the supermarket of their choice, many people are using technology to order shopping and have it delivered, but others are still physically going to shops to get food, because these are the options.
Engaging with your God of choice doesn’t require either a delivery service or a franchised outlet…
OK.
Did any priest celebrate Mass? None named. So what is this all about? The usual sneering from modern heroes who specialize in insulting old people and priests.
Lock them up
Leo Martin OUT Mary Lou IN
The big churches in Ireland are probably only at about 5% of their capacity on a normal Sunday anyway, you would be hard pressed to find anyone under 60 at a normal Sunday service these days so just let them use social distancing and masks, and as the Catholic Church has so much land and property that they have no use for anymore maybe they should sell this land and properties and give the money they owe to the victims of their past atrocities
@Darren Callaghan: how do you know how many attend when you dont. The Church I go to mass in, or did before the lock down had a very large crowd attending mass. So speak when you know what you are talking about.
Well they weren’t arrested when they were screwing kids so what’s new!
@Bramer:
Pavlovian response. Say the word ‘priest’ and here we go again.
Only God Almighty can judge thee…. :D
Wow… so my comment was removed… this is what that feels like….
I didn’t name anyone or call out any “fake information”
@thomas patrick: no way?? I do not actually know what was wrong with it, its a fact they haven’t been convicted?!
have your say