Mr. Darragh O'Connor:

This is the crux of the matter. Studies show that in respect of CE, one gets the biggest bang for one's buck in areas such as child care and elder care where high skills specific training is provided. If we are going to take this on in a serious way, then people need to be trained up to FETAC level 5 or level 6 or whatever is the industry standard. In addition, people must be given the time to pursue and complete the relevant courses. What is required, therefore, is access to quality training. Such training is provided by VECs or other providers. In such circumstances, three years is a realistic goal because not only will people have an opportunity to complete their training, but also the organisation involved will also get something out of it. A three year period would ensure there would not be a constant churn of people through those organisations. In other words, individuals would not leave immediately upon obtaining a qualification. There is a need to bring some kind of stability into the workforce which relates to community organisations. These are the key points we are trying to get across in the context of the training aspect.