Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It will be an interesting challenge. I want to raise an issue which the Leader touched on yesterday, namely, apprenticeships and the demand there will be in the building industry over the coming months. I have met with members of the construction industry over recent weeks and they are very concerned about the shortage of trained people in a whole range of areas, from electricians to plumbers and from block layers to plasterers. One of the things on which we now need to focus is how we can address that issue. I am not satisfied that enough is being done to deal with it. Would it be possible to have the Minister in to have a discussion on this matter? I know it may have been touched on previously but I think the situation is now becoming serious.

One of the advantages of the upturn in the economy is that there is more demand for people with these skills. We have had a huge improvement in respect of the area of housing over the last 12 months and that will continue over the next 12 months to two years. It does pose challenges, however, and we need to deal with them not in 12 months' time, but now. I seek a debate on this issue in order to see what else can be done. It is also about making sure that we have people with the necessary skills to provide the training. Subcontractors being brought in by the main contractors is a big issue at the moment. There is a disadvantage for subcontractors in having apprentices doing jobs and the main contractors are not interested in taking on apprentices. That issue also needs to be looked at and addressed. The educational authorities need to look at how to work with the construction industry and all of the trades right across the board in this area. I seek a debate on that matter.