Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that reply. To what degree have the individual shortages of skilled operatives been identified precisely? In order to meet that market requirement, it is absolutely essential we can identify the precise number of, for example, crane operators and to what degree they are required at the present time. Have we enough or nearly enough crane operators, or are we far short of the target? The same applies to a whole series of other areas. The Minister of State has listed a number of them. For example, how available are electricians now? Are they readily available to industry? Do we have major shortfalls that are identifiable and can be remedied?

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