Mr. Nicholas Tarrant:

As we mentioned in our submission, ESB Networks has increased its apprenticeship programme. We have doubled our numbers up to 96 per annum. We have a national training centre in Portlaoise which is equipped to train our apprentices. The level of training we are delivering in that facility has increased by almost double last year and almost double again because of the qualified electricians we are bringing in and training on our own systems. Our apprenticeship is very attractive and we attract a lot of applicants. One of the benefits in the programme in terms of careers is that we are a national organisation, enabling people to live in their own communities if that is what they choose to do. The apprenticeship programme is very successful and we are seeing really high-quality people coming through. One thing I might mention as part of the apprenticeship programme is the whole area of diversity. In the last intake, we had approximately 25% new female apprentices coming through the system. We are really encouraging that and trying to broaden the attractiveness of the industry to get more people in.

On wider resourcing, in response to Deputy Higgins's question about the wider supply chain, we are working with our contract partners to grow our capacity. It is critical, not just for housing but in the context of the whole change that is coming with climate action and the need for investment in infrastructure. Major investment in infrastructure is required and we need people to support that and have the skills in the industry to be able to grow. That is a really important point for the future.