Marie Sherlock (Labour)
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I am glad we are having this hearing because the newspaper headlines these days typically suggest that Ireland is at full employment, that everyone who wants a job can get one and so on. As we know, however, the reality is quite different for a considerable number of people who would like to work but are not necessarily looking for work because of various factors in their lives. There are also people who are looking for work but, as has been articulated, find that a challenge.

My first question relates to the engagement between long-term unemployed persons and the formal skills training infrastructure that exists.

The reason I raise that is I am struck by the Dublin construction skills programme that is run out of Dublin Port, which I am sure the witnesses are familiar with. It is a fantastic programme because it effectively takes a whole variety of people and no questions are asked about background. People go in there and do a course for three weeks to then go on to become a general operative. It has since been extended to contract cleaning. In some ways, the beauty of the programme is that people turn up on a Monday morning and are there for only three weeks. There is no big application process to join. Engaging with that programme has got me thinking about the hoops we put people through to apply for formal and structured training. It is striking that Carlow ETB is now funding this programme. I would like to hear the witnesses' views about whether other such programmes throughout the country are the type of programmes we need or whether the formal structured programmes are what are necessary in order to give people those letters after their name, or to have that certificate in their hand to secure long-term sustainable work.