Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in teasing out the position with regard to the quality framework for traineeships, a matter in respect of which Deputy Calleary posed a question. The Minister indicated that the apprenticeship scheme is being reviewed and that SOLAS has been established. I read a newspaper article yesterday which indicated that the City & Guilds has produced a report on the value of vocational training, while today's headlines relate to the number of students different schools send on to third level. Vocational training should have been a bigger story, particularly in view of the fact that we are living in a period of flux. The Minister referred to Germany and Denmark, in which much greater emphasis is place on vocational training. In the context of the review of the apprenticeship scheme, does he foresee a move back towards manufacturing? The food production sector is doing well but there is a dearth of quality training programmes in the hospitality sector. Does the Minister agree that we should shift the emphasis away from third level and move towards vocational training? I am sure he is aware of the value of traineeships and of ensuring that they are adequately resourced and that there are proper quality frameworks in place in respect of them. This is a point which we must continue to make.