Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to welcome two things, the first of which is the fact that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has released more than €2 million and we will see 25 affordable homes being built at Brú na Gruadán in Castletroy. This is most welcome news. It is an area where affordable housing will be really welcome and will help so many people in terms of setting up their new homes. I know that people worked through the council in terms of qualifying for the 25 homes. It is certainly very welcome news for Brú na Gruadán in Castletroy.

The second matter I wish to raise is that of a young girl called Mairide from County Limerick who is on the apprenticeship programme. She represents a younger generation of apprentices and has been selected to go forward in the national apprentice of the year awards. Certainly,Mairide Bennisis a good-news story in that she is going to receive a level 7 degree in her apprenticeship. That is an area in which the Minister, Deputy Harris, has done wonderful work in terms of apprenticeships and skills. It is an area we need to promote because there are so many starts for people who take part in the apprenticeship programmes. She is in her third year in college and she will certainly be flying the flag for the Limerick-based company, DesignPro Automation. So many companies have been so good in working with apprentices and giving them those skills and up-training. I really think it is something we need to talk about much more in terms of promotion and encouraging people, especially due to the fact there is no gender bias. Many young women as well as men participate in the apprenticeship programmes whereas traditionally it would have been all men. It is, therefore, a good news story.