Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To move on, Dr. Barrett mentioned education, which was the next thing I was coming to. With regard to the number of early school leavers, the situation in the North of Ireland is obviously disappointing and concerning to everyone here. Dr. Barrett mentioned that children are now not exceeding their parents in respect of their level of educational attainment. He also mentioned academic selection, the damage that is causing and the fact that the UK has got rid of that but that it is still in effect in the North of Ireland. He mentioned the post-leaving certificate, PLC, and third level education we have in the South of Ireland. I personally availed of the Trinity access programme and am also aware that there is a direct entry route into education. There are no alternatives and no equivalent to these programmes to help people access education in different forms or through different methods in the North of Ireland. Do the witnesses have any information on apprenticeships?