Professor Peter Clinch:

In last year's competitiveness challenge 2015, the council focused quite heavily on the reform and evolution of further education and training and we put quite a big emphasis on apprenticeships in that year. This year, reflecting on two of the challenges in the competitiveness scorecard we produced, we focused on the higher education system. I suppose we would suggest our recommendations this year should not be read in isolation of the ones last year that dealt more with the issue of apprenticeships. In January 2017 we had the launch of the Government's plan to expand apprenticeships and traineeship in Ireland and consequently we have an aim to achieve 50,000 apprenticeships by 2020. There is a key commitment in the Action Plan for Education to implement that, which we would encourage. We agree with the Chair on the importance of providing suitable education for all people and all types of career opportunities and not to have a focus on one part of the education system over another. When it comes to funding, it always is a challenge that this sometimes is perceived to be the case, that is, that primary education is the most important or that secondary or higher education are so perceived. It really is a system and if competitiveness is to be delivered at the end of that system, it is crucial that all parts are properly funded and properly resourced. That whole education and training sector is our key lever now that there is increased tax competition. The things that will make sure that Ireland remains competitive are getting costs down and making sure we make the investments in infrastructure and in people. It also allows us to be an economy that delivers good wages to people and quality public services. The connection between those things is crucial.