John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One very significant goal of this Government relates to the concept of apprenticeships. Work on this was started by the Taoiseach, our former Minister for higher education. We have done really well in that sector. We have more than 65 new apprenticeships today that we did not have four years ago and more people are taking up apprenticeships today than were doing so four years ago. We are on the right trajectory with it.There is, however, one particular profession where there is no apprenticeship and about which I hope to meet the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, in future, and this is an apprenticeship for tiling. While I would like a debate about the overall concept of apprenticeships, there are no apprenticeships for tiling in this country. We have seen a fall-off in the number of people entering that profession and when we look at the huge amount of house building we are embarking on, it is a profession that is frankly quite badly needed. According to the National Tiling Association of Ireland, there are four reasons we need an apprenticeship for tiling. First, it would be a recognition of it as the national organisation by Government. Second, it is important to have an education programme that is run and established through our local education and training boards, ETBs. Third, that education programme and CPD training would be open to existing tilers as well, so they could train and upgrade their skills. Fourth, having an apprenticeship in that area would provide a huge amount of guidance around the standards that are needed and it would quantify it and create a level playing field for all.

The previous Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris, had been very keen to initiate this. I hope his successor, the Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, will be able to continue on with it. Such an apprenticeship is greatly needed and it is a very important profession. We have so many new apprenticeships already and this is one we need to add to them. I would appreciate a debate at some stage in the future around some of the other professions that also need apprenticeships.