Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our visitors. I certainly agree with the point Mr. Baldwin made on the Department's view that keeping young people at school for as long as possible is vital in reducing youth unemployment. There was a feeling many years ago, perhaps when I was teaching, which is a long time ago, that there were pupils of a certain age who might be inclined to take up apprenticeships after the intermediate certificate examinations. Is it possible that apprenticeship courses could start a little earlier, as in after the junior certificate examinations? Could support be given to those interested in such apprenticeships so they might continue in education?

At an earlier meeting on education, Deputy Brendan Smith, who apologises for being unable to attend today, raised cross-Border co-operation between schools, particularly schools that are very close to the Border. Has anything happened on that? I am referring to very basic provisions such as school transport, the type of curriculum and model of school that would be involved in this catchment area.

In my county, County Galway, there is almost a battle for land between schools and industry. I am wondering whether our visitors could enlighten us on this. I could give an example from Galway where a motorway has opened up great possibilities for using extra land. State lands have been cut in two and there are opportunities for more development. At public meetings held by people who want to promote a school, one is almost asked whether one is for jobs or for a school. Of course, the answer is probably that one needs both.

I find it hard to believe that sometimes there are objections from industry to a school, but that is actually happening in Galway. I do not know why people do not just sit around the table and say: "We'll have the factory here and we'll have the school there." We are fortunate in County Galway that Apple is coming to the town of Athenry. Because it is felt that more industry will follow, the provision of a school will be difficult. One can talk about co-location, and I am all for that, but it is proving to be a real problem unless people sit down to talk. I do not know whether the same situation exists in other parts of the country.

I have the honour of chairing Leaders' Questions at noon, so I will have to go before this meeting is over. I want to thank the witness, however, for a very interesting presentation.