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

I do not have those figures to hand, but the biggest number of those who remain on the PUP are in the hospitality sector. Also, the last time I looked there were approximately 10,000 from the construction sector, which is quite a lot when you think about it. As I understand it, however, what the construction sector is looking for is higher skilled workers, and those on the PUP are probably the lower skilled workers or general labourers. This is what pathways to work is about. It is about upskilling and reskilling people, getting them back into the workforce and training them to meet the demands in the jobs that are now available. I have had people from the hospitality sector speak to me about the issue that they cannot get staff. The only problem is that I think many people have returned to their own countries and are no longer here, and I think some of them are not coming back, which creates more difficulties.

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