John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills following the publication of the action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago, the status of the progress made to date on action 3.12; the actions taken to date by SOLAS to update skills forecasts ensuring a supply of construction workers is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35086/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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In September SOLAS published the 2016 National Skills Bulletin where shortage indicators are highlighted across a range of construction-related occupations from professional to craft to skilled operative. SOLAS has finalised its latest forecast for craft apprenticeship including construction-related apprenticeships. This forecast, in addition to the data and trends provided in the 2016 National Skills Bulletin feeds into the annual SOLAS/ETB service planning exercise which incorporates the planning of construction related apprenticeships by SOLAS in conjunction with the Education and Training Board sector and Institutes of Technology.

SOLAS are also in discussion with the Construction Industry Federation to evaluate construction skill needs across a range of non-apprenticeship areas. As a result SOLAS is targeting specific construction related skills shortages in its service planning with the Education and Training Boards.

A campaign to promote apprenticeship is currently being developed by SOLAS in consultation with key partners including the Apprenticeship Council. The campaign will raise awareness and promote the value of apprenticeship for individual apprentices and for employers and it will cover both existing apprenticeships and the new apprenticeships now coming on stream and will include a new apprenticeship website.