Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It seems there is much work happening. However, it will be a long number of years before we see any statistics come out of that. That is a big issue because there is a huge problem with retaining apprentices and making sure that apprentices can qualify, as well as paying apprentices so that it is worth their while to continue on in it. That needs to be part of the measures being recorded to ensure that happens. There is huge scope for apprenticeships, particularly in rural Ireland, where I welcome the roll out of the university programme and stuff like that. For rural Ireland and my town of Killybegs, people who have apprenticeships and qualify can live and work locally. That will be important for that to work out. Much needs to be done. I push the Minister of State to make sure that we start recording that quickly because that will make a difference. We need to ensure that it has a strong base.

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