Mr. Diarmuid Mooney:

At a previous sitting, the Cathaoirleach mentioned apprenticeships and that we do not lose sight of the fact that when we speak about STEM there are multiple pathways. Third level is one and apprenticeship is another. Much of the thinking and many of the attributes associated with STEM fit very well with the apprenticeship model. It is very important for children coming through the system that there are multiple pathways once they get to the end of post-primary education.