Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions for the Minister of State. As I am sure he is aware, the committee did a field trip to the extended campuses of the institutes of technology in Limerick and Cork last week. An issue that came up in both cases was the lack of resources and spaces in respect of apprenticeships. Both colleges could take on significantly more students but do not have the space, teaching capacity or equipment to do so. I very much welcome the announcements by the Minister of State and the Minister on apprenticeships. I expect that many more people will be willing to take up apprenticeships into the future because they are now seen as something worthwhile. I am not saying they were not worthwhile in the past but there is now more of an appetite for them and a clearer view of what can be achieved at the end of them. That should have been done years ago. Can the lack of capacity be rectified in the short term and funding made available to fast-track the process and enable institutions to double the number of places available? The Minister of State knows there is a shortage of apprenticeships for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and blocklayers. Across the board, there is a huge shortage of labour and apprenticeships and there is an appetite within the colleges to double their numbers. Will the Minister of State outline the work that is being done by him and within the Department to ensure there are enough spaces available for whomever wants to take up an apprenticeship?