Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire, an Teachta Harris, agus an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Niall Collins. I thank them for being here and for their investment and recent announcements in the University of Limerick. It is a wonderful university. My daughter is there at present. The veterinary courses there and the veterinary hospital are most welcome. I support the university on that.

In recent years, thankfully, we have started to see a renewed interest in the apprenticeship model in Ireland. As of February of this year, there were 26,300 apprentices in training in 66 apprenticeship programmes compared with fewer than 15,000 across 24 apprenticeships just five years ago. It is great to see that broad range. We must change and adapt. Until 2016, apprenticeships were focused on the construction, manufacturing and motor sectors, including carpenters, bricklayers and all the traditional ones we are aware of. Obviously, however, we had to change. School leavers now have a choice between traditional craft-based apprenticeships or one of the new apprenticeships from a wide range of industries, such as logistics, supply chain, computer and technology, medtech, insurance, finance, accountancy, the hospitality sector - you name it.

Never has it been more important to promote the role of apprenticeships. In that regard I compliment the people of Durlas Éile on the fabulous centre there, just outside the town. It is a wonderful effort by all the different agencies. I have been through it a number of times and have seen the apprenticeships and the skills. I am sure the Minister of State has been there. There is also the promotion of it and the extensions out to Tipperary town.

There is a lot to be done. If we want to meet our targets of doing what we have to do and getting the numbers of houses built, repaired and retrofitted, we have to increase the number of apprenticeship places.

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