Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister very much for coming here. I want to ask him about the employment part of his portfolio or brief, particularly with regard to construction skills.

We obviously have a significant need to ramp up housebuilding and with that goes a big demand for construction labour. There are a number of proposals circulating at the moment. Last week the Labour Party brought forward legislation to try to address the issues with construction apprenticeships. My question to the Minister is about putting construction and craft skills on the critical skills employment permit scheme. They are not there at present. We have heard from construction employers about the need to import construction skills from abroad. It seems bizarre and unusual construction is not yet on the critical skills list. Is the Department looking at this and what are the Minister's views on it?