Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

I thank all our guests for their interesting comments. Every day is a school day at all committees.

I worked in education for years, including in a school completion programme. We always wanted young people to remain in education for as long as possible. I am delighted that, over the last 30 years or so, the prevalence of apprenticeships has increased. However, people were often snobbish about undertaking an apprenticeship and claimed that it was not like going to college. As people have said, apprenticeships were not treated the same, but I definitely think apprenticeships are being treated the same now. In fact, the more options we give people to do that, the better. I was really taken by the fact that there is no debt at the end of doing an apprenticeship. I worked in DCU teaching teachers, so I am aware of the fact that teachers are in college for a long period every single week and when they leave college, they have no money. They work weekends but their course is exhausting. I have thought to myself, and have spoken to lots of colleagues, that it would be ideal if, as with what was said nursing, there was that element of an apprenticeship. When these students are working in schools and hospitals, they are actually working. Mr. Brownlee said that pay was under the remit of the HEA, but what can be done to bridge the pay gap?

On young people with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, are they supported through their apprenticeships to ensure they get the best out of their courses? They are very supported in school, further education and higher education. How does it work at an apprenticeship level?

I might come back in afterwards.