Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

As I explained, the increase in craft apprenticeships is quite significant. We also have another campaign, the faces, facts, futures campaign, which was launched in 2023 and connects all-girls schools in the country with the National Apprentice Office, which publicised this campaign. Looking at registration figures for apprenticeships, they have increased significantly since the launch of this campaign by approximately 31% between the end of 2022 and 2024. The Deputy asked for stats and we saw 887 female apprenticeship registration figures in 2022. At the end of 2024, that figure had increased to almost 1,200. That is an ongoing campaign. It is really powerful. Of course, we also have the "building heroes" campaign. I do not know if the Deputy is familiar with it but these are men and women, but women also, who are involved in the construction sector. They are speaking about the opportunities that are there. To me, it is a social media campaign that is one of the most powerful campaigns I have ever seen. It is yielding results.

See this speech in context