Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the outline of developments in Donegal. That is welcome in relation to ongoing apprenticeships. There is a need for apprenticeships to be accessed locally and for all aspects of the training to be carried out locally.

Apprentices have had to travel to Cork, Dundalk and Dublin to do the college part of their apprenticeship. It would be useful if they could stay in Donegal and do their full training there. That would lead to an improved apprenticeship service.

I welcome the announcement the Minister of State made in relation to the recruitment of staff for ATU Donegal to develop its training service. I hope to see that continue. Are there plans to increase the number of apprenticeships available and extend them to other areas?

See this speech in context