Mr. James Benson:

The education and training department in CIF had numerous engagements with all the relevant bodies and they are making progress on that. That is one of a number of actions that need to be taken on labour. This is also potential with the live register. Are there people on the live register who could complete works within the industry? Can we attract some of those who left the industry back? This time last year, we were held back for three months of the year from some residential construction activities. People left at that time. They took up contracts of employment elsewhere, in the UK and other parts of Europe, some of which were 12-month and 24-month contracts. Will they be attracted enough to come back to the country when those contracts are complete? We need to ensure that they are.

We need to continue to do more with regard to second level education. There has been a push towards third level and there is a stigma around apprenticeships. The new generation apprenticeship campaign, endorsed and promoted by Ministers, Deputies Harris and Humphreys, looks at acceptance and inclusion around that apprenticeship model. That is what we need to see happen. It is just a different way of learning and there is a good living to be made in construction. Minimum wage rates in the sector are far in excess of minimum and living wage rates. It is a very attractive proposition.