Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

At present, the number of people undertaking apprenticeships in plastering, for example, is much lower than it was in 2004. We are only at about 15% of the 2004 levels, or perhaps a little higher because the number has increased in the past year. Even so, we are far off the apprenticeship levels there used to be in areas such as bricklaying, stonecutting, tiling and plastering, that is, the key wet trades in construction. There are many issues with that but in particular, there is simply no requirement to have a qualification in plastering to work as a plasterer on a building site. Some employers may look for it but in general, there is no requirement. There is no incentive, therefore, for people to get the qualification given it is not required.

This has implications, not least in respect of defects, as was mentioned in the context of people not having the proper skills and qualifications, but also for productivity in building and for having enough people who are well trained and qualified. While qualified people can achieve a better wage and income, they also are more productive and it will be better for efficiency. As the Minister of State will be aware, we have a good distance to go in terms of productivity and efficiency in our construction sector. I acknowledge that work is being done in that regard.

The Minister of State indicated that in a matter of time, that is, within the next few years, there will be skills requirements in these various trades such that in order for people to register, they will have to have these skills. If someone comes to work from another jurisdiction, he or she will have to show evidence of those skills, as will be the case if someone comes from the Irish apprenticeship system. Is that correct?