Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the reference to stress and other anxieties, particularly the recognition that it applies to the agriculture sector. As the Minister of State outlined, when somebody is under stress and is suffering from anxiety, accidents can happen and carelessness, through no fault of the person, can creep in. I am glad that is recognised as I have been campaigning on mental health issues.

An issue that was not mentioned but which I wish to raise and which I welcome is the broadening of the apprenticeship scheme. It is highly appropriate that this has taken place given that we are a growing economy. We want to get that last 2% to 3% to get to full employment. Apprenticeships offer an opportunity to increase the numbers at work, and it important that we are seen as an economy that embraces apprenticeships because for too long we have turned our back on the concept of apprenticeships.