Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for coming before the committee and for their briefing documents. We have unprecedented unemployment at present as a result of the pandemic. Yesterday, I was dismayed to hear that 51% of those aged under 25 are reported to be unemployed as a result of the pandemic. There is a great opportunity here to explore the necessary skills the country will require, and apprenticeships can play a huge role. Apprenticeships are now attractive as they give an opportunity to people to earn as they learn. We have seen in recent years that apprenticeships have been extended to many sectors. Does the Department see an opportunity? Last year, we had 15,000 apprenticeships throughout the country. I was the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation, which heard from many apprentices and the opportunities that arose from those apprenticeships. I see a great opportunity now to support female participation in particular. Does Dr. Quinn agree?