With just under 9,000 currently waiting for off-the-job training, apprentices are said to be considering emigrating due to the delays.

Almost 4,000 have been waiting for six months to progress.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Arthur Gibbons has been contacted by many affected by the issue in recent weeks.

He says with a shortage of skilled workers already in Ireland, the country cannot afford to lose countless others due to the delays: