Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 2

Written Answers. - Construction Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

21 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which apprentices will be available to meet the requirements of various trades over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22005/99]

David Stanton

Question:

26 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of apprentices being trained in the various respective trades connected with the construction industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21976/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 26 together.

The number of apprentices currently (31 October 99) being trained in the trades connected with the construction industry are as follows:

Trades	Number of Apprentices
	31.10.99
Bricklayer	982
Cabinet Maker	684
Carpenter/Joiner	3,504
Construction Plant Fitter	291
Electrician	5,409
Floor/Wall Tiler	34
Metal Fabricator	929
Painter Decorator	376
Plasterer	467
Plumber	1,897
Sheetmetal Worker	324
Wood Machinist	118
Total	15,015

The apprenticeship system operates on the basis the of recruitment of young persons by employers to serve as apprentices, arising out of that employer's decisions in relation to its company's skills needs, present and projected. The total number of available apprenticeships in a given period, therefore, is the cumulation of apprentices in the relevant sectors arising from these decisions by employers.

Reflecting Ireland's general economic buoyancy over the past number of years, the intake of apprentices by firms across all sectors has been increasing rapidly as can be seen from the following table, such that the figure for the year 1998-99 is some 90% greater than for 1995-96.

1995-96	3,597
1996-97	4,734
1997-98	6,070
1998-99	6,832

These increased numbers will obviously be reflected in the apprenticeship throughput over the coming years.

While levels of intake of apprentices in the various sectors is a matter for individual employers, as indeed, in the first instance is the responsibility for providing for its future skills needs, FÁS, in accordance with the PESP agreement, in collaboration with the social partners, seeks to ensure a satisfactory balance between the supply of and the demand for apprentices and maintains on-going consultations on the issue, in particular, through the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.

The expert group on future skill needs was established to examine and make recommendations on this matter and the group will report, in the near future, to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science. This group is currently examining future skills needs in a number of areas, including construction trades.

In addition, FÁS has been engaged on a number of actions in relation to labour-skill needs during the current year, and these will be continuing on an ongoing basis.