Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell referred to what she described as a "caste system". In the second level from first year to sixth year, those going down a vocational or apprenticeship path are often seen as failing. It is often seen that someone has not been able to follow the academic system that is in place from first to sixth year. It is often considered that once one chooses to go down that path, it is because one did not fit and it is a second choice. I do not see it being provided as an option earlier on or considered as the best way to use some people's talents, because that is what they are talented in. Our system is not geared up in a way that actually develops those people, embraces them from an early age and shows them that this is a path that one goes down. People also need to develop other skills which may not be their strength but that is part of delivering them down a pathway that will see them develop their natural talents and contribute well as a citizen afterwards. That is a big gap. People often come too late in life to apprenticeships or do so half-heartedly with the feeling that they did not match the system's view of what they should have been able to do.

If people have comments on that in particular, I would like to hear it. Do they feel there is a need in SOLAS, QQI, etc. to engage from a young age? It is done better in other European countries. Do we need to change our second level system to provide guidance and respect for that pathway? Can witnesses comment on the career guidance aspect? I referred earlier to a cultural and structural change. Guidance counselling also plays an important role. There has been a significant reduction in the number of career guidance hours in secondary schools in the last couple of years.