Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I agree with the Chairman. Even in the area of apprenticeships, the Department has looked at expanding the programme and other apprenticeship programmes that would make it more attractive but we need further data on questions such as how many complete the apprenticeships or how many gain employment afterwards. Having 300 people take up apprenticeships is not the same as having 300 people complete them and gain employment. If the Department is really looking at equality proofing, it will need to go beyond the indicators that are currently set. Is it the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's role to push the other Departments? How much of that will fall back on the Departments themselves? Can the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform go in and tell them the indicators or are the other Departments setting their own?