Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question on apprenticeships. As he knows, the apprenticeship action plan is in gestation. The consultation process has closed and is being assessed. More than 3,750 apprentices and some 340 employers took part in the consultation and there were more than 60 written submissions. When the action plan is published there will be specific targets in it. As the Deputy knows, the programme for Government also sets out ambitious targets. It is the Department's view that the Estimate sets out a realistic target as regards stepping up to meet those commitments as we go forward.