Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister, Deputy Howlin. I knew he was a doer and in his short time in the Department, we have seen the changes, reforms and savings he has achieved.

I have issues with the moratorium in recruitment in the public service, especially in local government. In consultation with his colleagues, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, would he consider providing a community employment scheme to help local authorities provide outdoor services in the context of the disproportionate amount of local authority outdoor staff who have retired under the Croke Park agreement and other agreements? Outdoor services are what citizens see as their service from the local authority. Staff sit in offices and provide services to the local community, but it is the outdoor staff who are seen working on the ground giving the service.

Since the downturn in the economy, one of the biggest changes has been in the construction sector, with apprenticeships for young people. Years ago, local authorities used to take on apprentices. I ask the Minister, in conjunction with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, consider providing on a cost-neutral basis for each local authority to be given a mandate to take on apprentices in order that young people could be trained, whether as plumbers, carpenters or block-layers, because there is no training available for them.