John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Ms Kelly for the presentation, as well as Mr. Joyce and Mr. Stokes for coming in. I have a couple of questions that primarily concern the programme, although one or two may be more general questions. Are there particular trades that are in higher demand among members of the Traveller community in terms of the apprenticeships they would like to undertake? Another question I have relates to the success of the participants. Is that data available? Do all the participants successfully complete their apprenticeships? Some of the things that Ms Kelly outlined regarding the treatment her organisation has concerns about infers to me that it would be a challenge to maintain and participate fully in the programme if people are meeting those types of discrimination and other things. That might impede someone’s success in the programme.

What is the average age at which the apprenticeship might commence? We had the educational welfare officers in a couple of weeks ago. They advised us that, cross-community, they see that the fourth year of the second-level education system as the place where many people leave school early. One reason they put that down to is that the educational welfare officers do not work with children over 16. Have the witnesses encountered people who have completed the full second-level system before they go on the apprenticeship programme or would the participants have left before they concluded their time in secondary school?

Regarding evaluation of the programme, have the witnesses received feedback from the employers which participated? Are they reporting it as a positive experience for themselves, their workplaces and their businesses? The witnesses mentioned Irish Rail and ESB. Are any other State agencies or local authorities or the HSE engaged which could participate? Have they shown any willingness?