Ms Sharon Higgins:

Yes, I will make some general comments and some of the delegates will respond to other areas.

We support members to improve their skillsets and work through our different trade associations to look at the funding options and try to make our members aware of the available options. Obviously more can be done. I think the local enterprise office, LEO system, will have our wholehearted support in trying to ensure that our members really understand the role of LEOs.

In response to the Deputy's question on engaging with the banks, we have had quite significant engagement with the banks in terms of upskilling by individual sectoral levels. Individual sectors will meet the bank and talk about the particular situations that the industry is up against and look at products that might be helpful for them. This is a great opportunity to put that together on one submission, which we do at all times.