Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I want to start with skills and workforce development. My question is for the operators. What both Ms McKay and Mr. Hann have said in public is very welcome. I know Go-Ahead Ireland was encouraging female drivers recently, which is a very welcome initiative. I know Mr. Hann has spoken on world skills day about the importance of that. We have addressed the issues around recruitment. I would like to hear from both operators about a few things. I will go through them first. In terms of retention, what does that look like in their organisations at the moment? Does that present a challenge?

In fairness to the NTA, it has led on the issue of the public transport workforce we have and building it up for the future that it is not just the drivers, per se, but there needs to be a whole suite of skills around them.

Will the witnesses provide a description on any graduate programmes or active internships they have in their organisations? Both witnesses mentioned the apprenticeship programmes. I would like to hear more about the structure they have with training providers. That also applies to Bus Éireann in this case.

I also wish to think of the other jobs that we do not imagine or think of now. I have mentioned data analysts in my previous contribution. I also have fond memories of the school outreach programme when I was in school. The local bus driver, Tom, came in and he brought us all on the 78A. We all thought he was a fine fella and it was a great thing. Is that programme still in place? We will have a transport security force legislated for by the end of next year. It is important that the efforts of dealing with antisocial behaviour on public transport are also complemented by an outreach programme in those schools.

In summary, will the operators speak a little bit about retention in their organisations? How are they thinking of their pipelines of skills into the future, such as any graduate or internship programmes they have available, as well as any new roles that will be needed for the future, such as data analysts? I also seek a response on the school outreach programme. I will go to Mr. Hann first.