Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I understand there are some 9,000 employers involved with apprenticeships throughout the country. If we are to increase the number of people in apprenticeships, it will be necessary to increase the number of employers who offer apprenticeships. Many smaller local businesses in hospitality and other sectors are under pressure. Is the Minister engaging with them and ensuring they are in a position to bring apprentices on board? There is a need to match up people who are looking for apprenticeships and support them to find the employers that are out there. While there is a very obvious CAO channel for people taking that route, there is only an occasional advertisement for an apprenticeship in a local newspaper. Is there some particular measure to match up people and ensure they are supported in matching up the employer and the apprentice?

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