Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “(2C) A payment for a purpose specified in subsection (1) in respect of works referred to in subsection (2B)(b) shall, where practicable, be made subject to the condition that tenders for the procurement of those works shall include as a condition that apprenticeships or training opportunities, of such nature and number as are specified by An tSeirbhís, are provided by the contractor during the period of execution of those works.”.”.

I thank the Minister and his officials. The amendment is quite clear in its wording. Since the establishment of this committee, a particular focus has been on the role of apprenticeships across the country. In my previous profession, apprenticeships had been an extremely important role for the development of children across the country, and young adults in particular. The point of the amendment is that the State will be providing the opportunity for young adults across the country to work with contractors on works the State is doing. Even during the previous general election, there was a lot of focus, given towards me and other candidates, perhaps, on the fact that we have private contractors who give certain apprenticeship opportunities but, as a State, we could lead on that. In the Minister's opening remarks, he said: "The Bill is a statement of intent. Ireland will invest in its people". That is an extremely important point in regard to this amendment. Investing in people in third level is well and good but we also need to invest in those who want to go into an apprenticeship and work in the labouring profession in particular. I ask the Minister and his officials to consider this amendment.