Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My apologies, I had to step out but I got the opening statements and some of the discussions. I thank the representatives and their respective groupings for the important work they are doing. It is an interesting conversation in terms of where Ireland is at present and the changing demographics in the country. It has been highlighted in the two reports I have read and in the opening statements that demographics and location play a role. Some Pobal reporting has been around uneven regional balance and the need for investment and equitable investment in the regions, which I have been championing since I came in here. It is needed.

I ask about the idea of trying to reactivate people into employment. To be employable, you have to be able to offer something to an employer, obviously, because you are exchanging your time for the employer's money. The issue concerns what skills people can offer and the skills gap, which appears to me to be a very big part of the problem when trying to reactivate people into employment. There has been discussion about education, training and job supports.

When people fall out of education early - which, while not the same problem it was years ago, is still prevalent - and end up not going into trades or finding themselves, they may have low skills and be in significant danger in the future, particularly as the technology gap widens in service work. What is happening in community education, onward education and informal education? What are the witnesses positive about in that space? What is having an impact and helping reactivate people in long-term unemployment?