Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I move to another member, how does Mr. Horgan feel we can encourage more females into craft apprenticeships? What does he feel are the factors that are limiting the number of females going into apprenticeships? Young fellows and girls came to me previously looking to get in with an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber or whatever. I would have had to make ten phone calls to get that. Now, there are plumbers, carpenters, electricians and mechanics coming to me asking if I can shove any young fellows their way to go into an apprenticeship. It is either feast or famine. The joined-up thinking is not there at the moment. It is exactly around what Mr. Horgan has spoken about.

There are some fantastic opportunities for youngsters now compared to five or ten years ago. I invite the witnesses to comment on that.