Mr. David Hegarty:

On work permits, before I get to the detail, the Deputy knows how our skills architecture is organised. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs operates under the aegis of our Department. It regularly does exercises projecting future skills needs in particular areas of the economy. I mentioned earlier the work we did in the area of looking at the skills requirements of the green transition. We are currently working on financial services and the biotechnology sector. That is complemented by work that is done by SOLAS under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

On work permits, as the Deputy knows, we operate a system of critical occupations lists and an ineligible list. The work permit system came under much pressure, particularly last year, where we saw a huge increase in the number of applications for work permits. We put more resources into that area and the waiting times are now down to about a week or so for the critical list.

Apprenticeship policy is really a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. We see it as very important, but the programmes in that area are all run by SOLAS.