Dr. Mary-Liz Trant:

As Mr. Brownlee mentioned, there is a level 6 cybersecurity apprenticeship programme, which has been up and running for approximately three years. There are more than 100 people going through that programme at the moment. Last year, a level 8 cybersecurity practitioner award was developed and rolled out, with the University of Limerick as a lead, in direct response to the HSE crisis. Both industry and public service bodies have realised they need to find a way to upskill in this area, including by training people in career as well as by bringing people into the industry for the first time.

The number on that programme, which started last year, is fewer than ten because it was year one and began with a pilot. However, that number is going to increase. Those two programmes have access and progression routes worked out between them. Somebody who completes a level 6 apprenticeship and who then works in the industry for a couple of years can then go on and complete the level 8 qualification. It is a joined-up offering. It is interesting that we expected more take-up of the level 8 programme than we have seen. I believe it will grow. Combined with what is on offer as regards full-time academic further and higher education, I hope it will make a good contribution.