Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With respect to Mr. Sharpe's comments, it is strange how things can come around. I did my leaving certificate 40 years ago and at that stage there were technical colleges and what he describes is specifically what they were aimed at. They ensured that trades would involve the required skills. It was where people with an interest in woodwork and metalwork or trades went and where people used their hands. They were then converted into community colleges and over time they concentrated on further education. Now they seem to be also viewed as a tool to ensure people can get to colleges. Even the technical colleges at third level have changed to universities and standards have gone up in terms of access to universities. Apprenticeships seem to be getting squeezed and left as an afterthought.

Some of these centres in my area have at times struggled to fill courses. The result is despite there being a demand for further housing, we will not be able to meet that demand even if the Government puts all the money in and the sites are there. We do not have the skilled people to involve themselves in the building trade. It is the same in many of the other trades in which we need apprenticeships.

When apprentices qualify fully as electricians or whatever, they are well-paid and have good jobs. They must put in the hours. It is hard manual work in many cases but I always encourage people to look at it as an option. There are also people who get into trouble at school because it is too academic. They cannot focus on that kind of academic approach.

Often the space is open for them then to continue their education, and I agree. Perhaps it is the case that the system may encourage some schools to go to one or the other. Not every school can offer the fullest of leaving certificate courses. I see that Senator-----