Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The area of apprenticeship is being developed. I think apprenticeships are third level. The idea that to be academic one lives in one's head and that is the only way one can judge academia is ridiculous. The Chairman mentioned ideologies and boundaries, but my general question is whether the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is to be allowed to stray into the area of apprenticeships and make recommendations? I would have felt that many of the universities capitulated to the great technology companies, Google, and the banking system of education when they said they would give an additional 25 points to mathematics but would not give it to music. We will create a hierarchy of subjects. Does Mr. Cassells see his role as having a place there?

Of the 11 members on the expert group, some 15% come from health and welfare, but none of the medical schools, that is, UCC, UCG, UL, RCSI or Trinity College is represented.