Page 97 of the programme for Government promises: "We will double the number of apprenticeships to provide a total of 31,000 places by 2020". However, employers throughout west Cork are telling me that there is a scarcity of skilled tradespeople on the ground. Will the Government overturn the decision in the 2014 budget to impose the new pro rata student contribution, and reinstate the State contribution to remove apprenticeship fees?

The Minister for Education and Skills, in particular, has been active in dramatically increasing the number of apprenticeship programmes. Approximately, 80,000 more people have been employed on building sites throughout the country in the past year, which is a dramatic change. However, we need apprenticeships to an extent that we have not needed them for a decade in other sectors too. I can ask Deputy Bruton to come back to the Deputy with a detailed answer.