Mr. Andrew Brownlee:

The increase in allowances may have contributed to the problem, but in a good way. SOLAS is not party to the pay agreements but I would just bring members back to the start and the opening statement. We know that apprentices now are earning €49,000 a year within two years of qualification, which is higher than the average wage. Part of the challenge for us is getting the message out that this is an amazing career and the person will be earning significant amounts very early in his or her career with potential to go a lot further. That is certainly part of the challenge as well. As members have heard, there is a lot of demand to become apprentices and we want to see that grow even further. Pay is obviously a factor in anyone's decision.