Apprentices have been clear that they feel forgotten by this Government. We have seen how the large waiting lists for off-the-job training impacts on their ability to earn. Large numbers are dropping out and now we have figures that prove only a small minority in the craft apprenticeship sector are finishing in the standard four year period. If we suddenly saw that people on four-year degrees in law, engineering or commerce were now taking five, six or seven years to complete their degrees there would be ructions in here. Heaven and earth would be moved to rectify it. It is simply not good enough that only 16% of plumbing apprentices and 25% of electrical apprentices are completing their apprenticeships in four years. When will there be an urgency to this? When will apprentices finally get the support they need from this Government?

I thank Deputy Farrell. I am just trying to get the most up-to-date figures and I will send them to the Deputy in writing if she does not already have them-----

I have them.

From my previous role, and also from checking in on this recently, I understand that the plan is still to resolve the backlog issue during the course of this year. The Deputy will be aware there is always a wait time between each phase but when the wait time goes beyond the normal wait time then it is not acceptable. There is a well-funded plan with Solas. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.