Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the European Commissioner and the officials. We had an opportunity to meet briefly earlier. Mr. Navracsics mentioned the European Week of Sport. I attended the signing of the first European Week of Sport with the partners on behalf of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. I am still a volunteer with that organisation and the organisation was delighted to participate in the first European Week of Sport and on subsequent occasions. I offer my congratulations on that. It is always good to see horizons being pushed out on so many different levels.

I wish to make some comments in the context of my role as chairman of the committee on education and skills. Our thinking is very much in line with the European Commissioner's in terms of the work programme and some of the reports we have produced. The Education and Training Monitor from the European Commission has been very helpful in focusing our minds. One of the areas mentioned, and it was mentioned in the European Commissioner's opening address, is the value of alternative pathways and vocational routes. Our committee held a hearing on apprenticeships earlier this year and we sent our findings to the Minister. We hope they will be taken on board. One of the main reasons for having that meeting and developing the report is that we feel there is a view that attendance at university is almost obligatory to succeed and to have a successful career. Apprenticeships are often seen as the poor relation to university courses. We must do what we can to develop a parity of esteem in that regard. Only two weeks ago our committee dealt with the legislation to provide for technological universities in Ireland, to ensure our institutes of technology would have parity of esteem and be able to attract funding and the students they require. That is very important. In fact, there was a non-partisan approach by all members of the committee to progress that Bill. The recognition of its importance meant there was a willingness to consider alternative views and to progress the legislation as quickly as possible.

The committee also met the Irish team that competed in WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. Its members won seven medallions for excellence. I and the committee members were very impressed by the calibre of the Irish delegation and its exceptional achievements on the world stage. However, there is no national stage or competition in Ireland.

That is somewhat lacking. The Commissioner may be familiar with the young scientist and technology exhibition held in Ireland every January which has been an incredible success. It has opened up science to students. I have suggested a similar event be run to showcase the importance of apprenticeships and skills training as an alternative to university courses. I am interested in hearing his views on that matter. In his opening contribution he referred to students developing resilience, which is hugely important. We made a report to the Minister with 20 recommendations related to positive mental health in education at primary, second and third level and to non-formal and informal education. It is of crucial importance to all of us.