Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

From all of the inquiries I have received - I will not say complaints - from people and families on the apprenticeship issue, nobody actually questioned their employer. These people are very happy. It is the small additional costs that are difficult.

I note the Minister of State mentioned the social welfare system. I see a problem with that. I am airing this issue to see if we can get some answers. Where both parents in a family are working in good jobs and the apprentice's brothers and sisters are in good jobs and still living at home, social welfare payments will be means-tested and the person serving his or her time will not get assistance in that instance. I understand the way the rates are structured, with qualified rates, etc., but I am looking at the long-term picture here. We need so many apprenticeships in this country. I am asking the Minister of State, although it may or may not be a question for his Department, if there is a way of improving the working conditions of apprentices, especially in the first two years when the rate is very low. It does not encourage people to go into an apprenticeship when, basically, they could sit on their backsides and claim jobseeker's allowance. Does the Minister of State understand my point? I am acting as a voice for parents who need answers and are asking if there are alternatives or ways to assist their children.

I know different criteria apply to certain crafts on the list but there are others serving their time whose craft will probably not be on this list. That is why I am asking this question. I was not expecting major answers. I welcome the access to information on social welfare. That at least is an avenue for people to ask questions and perhaps get answers. I appreciate the Minister of State’s time and his answer.

See this speech in context