Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are developing apprenticeship schemes in all areas of the economy and there have been a huge number of calls in respect of different sectors. In fact, I am familiar with a number of cases where industry has come together with the education sector to develop the apprenticeship courses that are required. They start off with traineeships and then develop into full apprenticeships. These have been very beneficial. I am acutely aware that industry needs a pool of highly talented people to continue to fill the demands on the workforce. We have an expanding and growing economy and there are a number of different initiatives across the board in terms of upskilling, reskilling and apprenticeship schemes. We are working hard to develop and roll them out nationally. As I said, I was aware of the ones that have been addressed but there are further pressures, for example, in the healthcare sector as the Deputy mentioned. I recently met with representatives of the nursing homes and I told them to put their case to the Department of Health and show the evidence. I am happy to look at it in order to ease those pressures.

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