Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is about someone taking up an apprenticeship and being able to do that programme in the set length of time of four years. I am concerned about the drop-out rate as well. Perhaps that is a figure we can look at another day. We do not want people dropping out of apprenticeships. The State has saved €55 million, mostly from apprenticeship allowances, but has reinvested only €37 million in the programme. Apprentices have not been treated with the same consideration and importance as other third level students. They are vital to our economy, across all areas, in respect of development of the regions and the opportunities that will be presented in that regard, whether in renewable energy, construction and everything else that needs to be done. I am also concerned that the backlog is being used as a justification for reforming the traditional model of craft apprenticeships. There has been a real debate regarding why it is planned to dismantle the traditional craft apprenticeship model in favour of a decentralised and industry-led approach. What is the rationale for that change? I am concerned about it.

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