Dr. Laura Bambrick:

On the Deputy's second point, I am not aware of any research that has been undertaken on multiple discrimination, such as grounds of race and gender, but we would expect to see it higher. It would emphasise the point that it is important we get migrant workers into trade unions and get them aware of their rights, especially if they are newly arrived or are coming in on employment permits and might not be aware of their rights in an Irish context. We say your union is your best protection for that. Am I aware of any hard facts and evidence percentages that it is more likely for a person? I am not aware that has been taking place. I imagine the UK has better evidence and usually that is a good indication of where we are.

The Deputy's other point was about a better gender mix and being gender-blind in reporting. The best way to attract men into predominantly female sectors is to improve wages because once a particular sector becomes feminised, the wages and conditions tend to be diluted; they go hand-in-hand. Attracting men into what is now a heavily female sector is about improving wages and conditions. In the reverse situations, some good work is being done through the apprentice system. Though more men go into apprenticeships, there has been massive improvement in recent years and we are seeing more women going into apprenticeships, though I do not have the figures to hand. That is partly because the range of apprenticeships has been broadened. If you are going to have a hairdressing apprenticeship and a healthcare one you are more likely to see women in them. There is much work being done by State agencies on getting women to come in and do their apprenticeships for bus driving and mechanical engineering because they are good jobs. If we can get young women, some of whom are early school leavers or have done the leaving certificate but are not interested in college, into apprenticeships or trades that is a family wage, so if their circumstances-----