James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. I have had a good look at the amendment and discussed it with my officials. It makes a lot of sense. I see the intent of it. Before I get into the substantive response, I absolutely share and support the Deputy's call and desire to promote apprenticeships and further education. It is one of the functions of this Bill that with regard to the provision of funding from the NTF, including the facilities and equipment, much of that will be used for apprentices to train up in various further education settings, including technological universities, education and training boards, ETBs, and elsewhere. This is very much geared towards expanding and enhancing the provision, supporting the apprenticeship experience and, ultimately, providing more. We have a programme for Government commitment to have 12,500 new apprenticeship registrations by the end of this term. I brought to Cabinet earlier this week an expansion of 1,600 apprenticeship places. That is towards our housing needs, carpentry, joinery, wood manufacturing and design, plumbing and important things like heavy goods vehicles and motor mechanics. There is a huge need right across our economy and society for apprenticeships in many fields and this is part of that.

Looking to the amendment, the difficulty is that although I see where the Deputy is coming from and share the policy intent, it would provide a procurement condition which may not be compliant with legislation, other existing regulatory codes and the way the procurement model normally works. As it stands, I am not in a position to accept the amendment but I might suggest we continue to discuss it because I understand the policy intent. I see where the Deputy wants to go and I commend the intent behind it.