John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having spoken to associated businesses, I know that at one stage we had 50,000 people in apprenticeship schemes. Basic apprenticeship schemes for carpenters, plasterers and bricklayers completely diminished over five or six years, down to about 4,000 or 5,000. In September, we will be launching 25 new apprenticeship schemes, many of which will be in the sectors the Deputy mentioned. I have written to employers' groups asking them to indicate whether employers are in a position to take on apprentices in those areas, which have the capacity to create a substantial number of jobs. As the economy progresses there will be more building projects, so it would be unacceptable if we could not have basic apprenticeship schemes for electricians, carpenters and bricklayers. In September, we will have 25 apprenticeship schemes which include many of the jobs referred to by the Deputy.

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