Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a number of points. Each speaker has mentioned the gaps in the jobs market. Does anybody have suggestions or ideas on how we can move more quickly to fill these gaps? It seems to take an age to fill the gaps in the market.

I am surprised at what has been said about apprenticeships. Do the delegates have ideas on how we can move more quickly in this regard also? The system in Austria is similar to what is in place here. It has a very good apprenticeship type scheme in place. Will the delegates identify where there are opportunities for apprenticeships? Perhaps the joint committee could help in that regard.

The Small Firms Association referred to the procurement budget of €14 billion. I find it worrying that we are centralising the procurement system. Have the delegates made representations to the Minister in this regard? I have hit him hard about a number of projects and he is not talking to me anymore. The matter is quiet serious because it is beyond the ability of small companies to meet the criteria to get into the ball park. Are there proposals that might persuade the Minister to change his mind because he is not listening to me? There are a number of small companies which were doing good business in meeting local needs, be it in schools or local bodies, but that option is no longer open to them because the rules have changed. There is an attempt to attract large companies. However, bigger companies become inefficient, whereas smaller companies are much more adaptable and flexible in quickly sorting out a problem.