Mr. David Hegarty:

I thank Deputy Butler, who is absolutely correct that young people have been hit by the unemployment resulting from the pandemic crisis. We see opportunities in the area of apprenticeships, particularly in non-traditional areas for apprenticeships, such as ICT skills, which is definitely an area that has potential. Certainly for our part we have worked with the Department of Education and Skills through fora such as the National Skills Council to encourage the Department and SOLAS to promote these apprenticeships in non-traditional areas. These can appeal to female participants as well as to male. It is something on which we will continue to work with the Department of Education and Skills.