Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State. I assume there is nothing in these measures to prevent or prohibit agencies from training staff, which would go entirely against their principles and function. If an employer is finding it difficult to recruit a certain type of employee with particular skills - this may have been more of a problem two or three years ago than it is now - that is the only concern; the employer could not care less who trains the employees so long as they come. I assume that so long as the client pays for training, there is no hindrance in this regard.

Is it the case that training for particular roles will come within training norms in this State? In other words, in the case of electricians, for example, I assume the employment agency would have to use the relevant training agencies. Is that correct? If so, there must be a tie-up between the employment agencies and the training agencies. While the Bill may look simple, it is not as straightforward as one might assume. While there are issues to be teased out on Committee and Report Stages, Fine Gael is broadly supportive of the legislation.

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