Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like many Deputies, I welcome much of the Bill. We should do everything we can to streamline safety and, from a SOLAS point of view, licensing. We also need to streamline how we deal with out-of-State qualifications, and there are issues still obtaining on this island. Anything that can be done to deal with the obstacles that people are encountering is necessary.

We all get the idea of lifelong learning. I like the idea that, as important as they are, apprenticeships are not just for the wet trades. Of course, it must be recognised that we need apprenticeships in the wet trades if we are to pursue building above and beyond the level we are able to deliver at this time, but the apprenticeship model will probably relate to many other types of training as well. This is a requirement. There is talk of retrofitting as well as upgrading skills. We need to examine our apprenticeships, particularly in terms of electricians, plumbers, etc., and ensure they are upgraded so that they include necessary skills in new technologies, retrofitting and renewables.

I have seen a significant amount of positive news in County Louth about, for example, the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, LMETB. Some of that is coming on the back of the Drogheda implementation plan. There is also the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence in Dundalk. In what is a cross-Border, multi-agency scenario, the centre deals directly with industry and asks what it needs from skill sets. We need to ensure that this happens. The LMETB has been examining new construction technologies. I have seen 3D concrete printing in Drogheda, and we know that there is less waste in that. The LMETB has examined new technologies in terms of the materials being used. I believe there are proposals in that respect. The sooner the better, as that is what we need.

"Workforce planning" is a term Deputies use in the Chamber every week. We need to ensure that we pursue workforce planning properly, with Departments speaking to one another. We must also ensure that the skills and labour market research unit, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the regional skills forum and everyone else that needs to be involved are speaking to one another.

Having mentioned the LMETB, I need to refer to O'Fiaich College. My kids attend its post-leaving certificate, PLC, section as well as its post-primary school. The college is being hemmed in and does not have sufficient space. This matter will need to be examined.

Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Harris, is not present. We have spoken about disability all week. There is a particular issue with personal assistants in further education colleges. Conversations are under way between Fórsa, the Minister's Department and SOLAS. We need to bring those to a conclusion. I believe the Minister is going to meet some of the people in his Department and O'Fiaich College, but that needs to happen soon. We have a piece of work to do on inclusivity across the board.

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