Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Berney. I have two quick follow-up questions. The perception of apprenticeships is largely dictated by the opportunities that exist. It is not that the mammies of Ireland do not want people to be in a skilled work force or skilled trades or whatever. It is the lack of opportunities. It is a person not having a CAO place or, as Mr. Berney said, needing an individual sponsor. I absolutely agree with him. We need to see the State in there as a player and as an employer, not just as provider of the skills. We need to see IBEC putting the screws on its members, who want work permit schemes and so on, to become big players in the apprenticeship world. Even in the areas where new apprenticeships in the new economy have come forward, the take-up by employers is lamentably low.

Has the five-year exclusion rule been used much? Do we see rogue employers taken out under that scheme? Can the WRC trigger it from its work?