James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a target to grow the public sector apprenticeship programme. My Department is already involved in it. We have been making pretty good progress in this regard over the last two years. There is more that can be done and we have a target to continue to grow public sector participation. The Deputy is right about the local authorities, in that they have to be part of this as well. I very much hope they are up for it. I would certainly encourage them and give them whatever supports they need. I have published an apprenticeship plan for public bodies that answers any questions and queries and gives a roadmap for those to take on apprentices.

I am moving quickly because I know time is ticking away. On student accommodation, I hear what the Deputy is saying. We are doing several things. We invested €100 million earlier this year in what we call a short-term activation fund. This was capital spending with the goal of assisting colleges that had sites ready to go already. There was then a general call put out. UCC was included in that call, but it did not take up the offer on this occasion. I am not sure why. This might be something that could be looked into locally. Perhaps the Deputy might look into it.