Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that information. I accept, of course, that companies must make their own decisions in regard to operational matters. However, if I were Minister, I would be surprised and disappointed if State and semi-State companies did not have due regard to Government policy and priorities. If we are serious about taking people off the unemployment lines and getting them into quality jobs, we must seriously ramp up the apprenticeship programme. In fact, I would go further and say that any infrastructural projects in which the State invests must include a social dividend clause which requires the engagement of a specific number of apprentices. Building for the future is about more than building blocks; it is about giving people the skills to build for our future. The people are just as important, if not more important, than the blocks.

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