Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Deputy's comments. This is very positive news. The social clause will apply such that some people who are long-term unemployed will be employed on these contracts. The requirement to take on apprentices is also very positive and particularly important in the construction sector. However, we must always be aware of the law of unintended consequences. Many people who run small construction firms, particularly subcontractors, have between ten and 20 staff who move from job to job. We want to avoid a situation where they would have to lay people off to take people on just to satisfy the social clause. That is why we are going to move expeditiously but cautiously with these new arrangements.

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