Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The question was tabled prior to the enterprise committee meeting last week. I welcome the Minister's comments at the meeting. This is an important issue because between 40,000 and 50,000 construction jobs will be lost. I do not know how many will be lost by apprentices but it will probably be several thousand. It is important they should be facilitated and assisted in any way possible to complete their qualification with which they can travel or build on. Has the Minister of State given consideration to allowing apprentices to do their on-the-job work experience overseas? Significant construction work will be undertaken in the UK and the more successful economies in Europe in the coming years. Perhaps a mechanism could be found to allow apprentices to travel to London to assist with the construction work on the Underground system for the Olympic Games and to have that accredited to their apprenticeship.

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