Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I thank the four witnesses for their informative opening statements.

I would like to begin by raising an issue that came up here last week as well. I refer to the disparity in the female take-up of apprenticeships. This is a huge issue because the percentage is small. There was a skills and apprenticeships day in Limerick and the mid-west last week. It was very good to see so many young females coming along. They are certainly receiving more encouragement. How do we get more of them to participate? That is my first question.

It is sometimes the case that there is no incentive for employers to take on people as apprentices. I know that employers pay PRSI and the various fees associated with taking someone on in employment. They provide very good training to people.

Could employers be given some form of tax relief or an incentive to take on apprentices?

I am very aware of the skills shortage in the hospitality sector as I come from that background. While it is great to be able to get hotel managers, finding lower-level staff is a major problem. There was a loosening of the visa criteria for employees in the hospitality sector. Will Dr. Smyth comment on whether more needs to be done?

Last week. I accompanied some hairdressers to meet the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Halligan, to discuss the increase in the VAT rate they face. There is no incentive for them to take on apprentices and train them because they do not benefit from the process. Once the trainee becomes a skilled hairdresser, he or she walks out the door, having finished the training. How does one keep people engaged so that the employer feels they benefit? Employers believe they are investing in training but are losing out at the other end.