Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I advise witnesses that the opening statements will be published on the committee's website at the conclusion of the meeting. I remind members and witnesses to ensure all mobile phones are switched off completely as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the role and potential of community and vocational education. These are two key pillars of the education system and they play a very valuable role in assisting people who might otherwise not do so to access education. Participation rates have increased greatly and the number of individuals finishing second level and proceeding to third level have increased. However, many people over the age of 30 may not have finished school or proceeded to further or third level education. The community and vocational education sector is extremely important in the context of ensure that those to whom I refer have the opportunity to obtain an education that will help them in participating - to their highest potential - in their communities and within the workforce. Our deliberations today will involve contributions from a wide range of stakeholders. This is because a number of statutory and other bodies that are engaged - in various capacities - in the two sectors. The committee is of the view that it is important to harness the views of different stakeholders in order to ensure that we deliver the best possible community and vocational education system.

I welcome Ms Berni Brady, who is representing Aontas, Mr. Philip Sheridan from City & Guilds, Mr. Micheal Moriarty, chief executive officer, and Ms Geraldine Canning, from Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, Dr. Padraig Walsh, chief executive officer, Ms Karena Maguire and Mr. Walter Balfe, from Qualify and Qualifications Ireland and Mr. Paul O'Toole, chief executive officer, and Dr. Shira Mehlman, from SOLAS. The format will be that we will take a five-minute presentation from each organisation. The first contributor will be Mr. Sheridan from City & Guilds.