Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests from MII and the MRCI for attending. MRCI sent in a detailed note with eight recommendations so that is welcome and I thank our guests for that.

In the limited time available to me, I will ask a number of specific questions of MII. I want to understand the lack of labour supply in that sector better. From 2015 to 2018, there was an unemployment rate of in or around 4%. We know that it will be approximately 10% by the end of this year and there will be elevated unemployment levels next year and the year afterwards. I want to understand the difficulties faced in attracting people into MII's sector. Do they include pay and the working conditions? The witnesses mentioned skills. What is the number of apprenticeships for skilled knifemen, other trained personnel and general operative grades within the sector?