Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As it is a priority question, the Deputy will have the opportunity to contribute again. The matter is topical. The Deputy mentioned that it is leaving certificate examination time and that people are looking at their various options. People will look at the time apprenticeships take to complete. Two programmes are unfortunately taking longer than 48 months. The duration of craft apprenticeship programmes is four years or 48 months and two are taking longer, electrical instrumentation and pipe fitting. Electrical instrumentation is taking 55 months, which is a seven-month overrun although there has been a reduction since April when it was 11 months. We are reducing that. Similarly we have an issue with pipe fitting. We are putting a sustained focus on that because it is a significant part of the construction sector, as the Deputy will be aware. Historically we have had an issue with workshops on pipe fitting. We are increasing the capacity at the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. In respect of the numbers the Deputy-----

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