If somebody was doing a four-year law degree and it ended up taking him or her six years or more, it would be unacceptable. If we told our teachers that their four-year course was now to last six or six and a half years, it would be unacceptable. Why is it acceptable for plumbers?

Why is it acceptable for plasterers, brickies and carpenters? That is what is happening under the Government. It cannot get away from the figures. The Tánaiste talked about October. In October, 5,514 people were waiting for off-the-job training. The figures in January spiked to 9,000. That is why we told the Government it is taking its eye off the ball. We have apprentices the length and breadth of the country who want to roll up their sleeves and get involved in helping out with the housing crisis, yet they are being frustrated. They are telling the Government in their own words that it does not value them, and that they are waiting a year and a half to two years to get off-the-job training. It is not just about phase 2. It is phases 4 and 6 as well. These numbers are getting worse. That is the problem. The numbers are getting worse overall. The number of people waiting for off-the-job training is getting worse overall.

What are the consequences of that? The Taoiseach told my colleague Deputy Mairéad Farrell that of the approximately 6,000 people who are registering every year for craft apprenticeships, more than 1,000 are dropping out because they are sick, sore and tired of waiting month after month for what they should be entitled to within a short number of weeks, which is their training. It is unacceptable. I have heard nothing from the Government on what it will do to fix this.

When I mentioned October, it was in reference to the task force that was put together, came together and developed a cross-sectoral plan. That was what I referenced. The Deputy keeps saying nothing is being done-----

They have the numbers-----

-----and just ignores what has been done. He creates the scenario, for a political reason that suits him, that the Government does not value apprenticeships. That is nonsense. Of course the Government values apprenticeships. Come on, cop on with the nonsense. That kind of language is grand for politics and the back and forth, but it does not make any real sense.

The substance of the matter is clear.

We want to grow craft apprenticeships and construction. We have expanded in that regard. There are now 17 programmes across the broad categories of construction, including electrical engineering, which are relevant to the construction sector. We have actually expanded. That includes the plumbing, electrical, geo drilling and scaffolding programmes and so forth.

The numbers who register are increasing. Just because the Deputy said it is getting worse does not mean that is the truth. The number of people registering for construction apprenticeships is on the increase. In 2022, there were 4,797 across the 17 programmes. That went up to close to 5,000 in 2023 and, so far this year, 1,322 apprentices have registered, a rate that will lead to a further annual increase in 2024. From 2022 to 2024, craft construction apprenticeships have been on the increase. That is the reality.

Asleep on the job.

We have to deal with the backlog.