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

I will put the witnesses on the spot. I have given them enough time to warm up. I wish to ask about their areas of expertise. When I heard about the various areas, I thought it was incredible to have such a wide variety. I ask them to say a little about their area and how they think apprenticeships or training can be given more prominence. It seems there is not parity of esteem between apprenticeships and academic subjects or degrees. We have discussed this several times as a committee. We believe that is completely wrong. We want to help to raise the profile of apprenticeships and we would like ideas from the witnesses on how to do that.