Mr. Paul O'Toole:

Deputy Michael Conaghan recognises the value of the sector which is great to hear it because it is our observation that it provides incredible value that is not perceived or understood more widely. SOLAS will advocate for the potential of the sector which goes across the board in so many fields. I will ask my colleague, Ms Hartley, to talk about the community side.

My colleague, Dr. Bryan Fields, has responsibility for the skills and labour market research unit and he will speak to Senator Naughton's point. It is disappointing that anybody who seeks to engage in further education and training, FET, whether it is for welding or for other purposes, may feel that they are dismissed with a one-line response. That is something we need to think about. They deserve the courtesy of our having an engagement with them, and that plays to the point that was made earlier about guidance and how people can be supported and directed into the best path for them.

Senator Craughwell made a number of points, the essence of which was, I think, not to throw out the baby with the bath water. The new strategy should be introduced without rejecting all that is there already. We certainly will not do that. We are very conscious of the need to walk before we run, but we are determined to look at the strengths of the sector as well as the weaknesses, potential and opportunities, and really drive this idea of continual improvement rather than rejecting what is there simply because it is the past. We take that point very much on board.

Deputy Fitzmaurice made a point about current apprenticeships and how they are managed. All existing apprenticeships are under formal review at the moment. They are being worked through a process with SOLAS and partners and will be considered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, later this month. There is a process whereby people with skills and experience in a particular craft can seek to acquire the qualification through a process called "recognition of prior learning". They would be assessed under this process. It is not for everybody so I do not want to overstate it, but we can provide details of that to the Deputy if he is interested in following up on the point.

Deputy Bannon asked whether people lost out simply because of a threshold. I cannot speak to the JobBridge programme as that is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, but if people are supported and have the information there is a huge range of opportunities, some at very low cost, so that people need not be left behind just because of that threshold. Information on that is available through education and training boards and SOLAS.

Deputy McConalogue referred to the revision of allowances and the pressure that puts people under. I am sure that is true, but we have had to manage the pressure and budgets as best we could in line with policy. I reiterate that a quarter of the budget that is deployed goes on income support for trainees. It is probably not enough. I am sure all of those policies will be reviewed as we move forward.

With the Chairman's indulgence, I invite Ms Fiona Hartley to talk a little bit about the community side and Dr. Bryan Fields to address Senator Naughton's question on labour market forecasting.