Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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I have a question for SOLAS. Mr. Brownlee will be aware of backlogs and so on.. We have had discussions on the matter and tabled parliamentary questions on it. Last week, I got a response to a parliamentary question in which I was trying to establish how long it takes for an apprenticeship to finish. All going according to plan, it should take four years. There are backlogs, however. I have been contacted by hundreds of apprentices about this. The response I got shocked me. Of those who qualified in 2023, 61% of electricians took five years to complete the course, with 14% taking six years or more; 37% of carpenters took five years, with 11% taking six years or more; and, amazingly, 70% of plumbers took five years, with 14% taking six years or more. I understand some people may have to repeat exams or may have a health issue that stops them from completing in a four-year period but I cannot imagine that it is just those instances that account for that. Can Mr. Brownlee advise how SOLAS is dealing with and addressing this?