Drop in building apprentices over loss of confidence in sector

A DRAMATIC plunge in the number of apprentices being taken on by the building sector is being attributed to a growing loss of confidence in the housing market.

The number of apprentice bricklayers enrolled with FÁS by builders dropped by 33% for the first three months of the year, according to new figures released by the State agency yesterday.

FÁS said the drop was due to the decline in the number of new house projects, with planning permission dropping by 23% for the last quarter of 2005.