Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are all parents and all understand how the parent who rang Ms Kelly this morning feels. We all want the best for our children to support to make the transition, whether it is into further education or apprenticeships, but it is a question is how we make the connection.

I have a question on the ETBs. What is the crossover between Youthreach and apprenticeship programmes and pre-apprenticeship programmes? If there were an opportunity to create more pre-apprenticeship programmes, what would they need to be? Obviously, there is a gap somewhere.

My final point is on the employer aspect. Surely there has to be a space for work experience in the pre-apprenticeship programme that would afford an opportunity to enter an apprenticeship. Is there space for development there?