Mr. Bernard Joyce:

The submission provided to the committee gives a complete breakdown of the geographic spread. I do not know if the members have received that. Cork was in that submission in terms of grant applications in 2023, 2024 and 2025. It is similar across different parts of specific communities. It has shown that the reach of apprenticeships is national, from Donegal to the midlands and right down to Cork. Similar to apprenticeships nationally, where there are larger populations like in Dublin, for example, which has higher uptake levels in some cases and as we would expect, then other big cities should be following suit, with smaller towns and counties following them. That is shown in the total grant distribution of 150 grants across the country. That is also 150 individuals receiving supports that were not there before this apprenticeship programme was established. In some ways, that is significant and important and ensures that, although the programme is new, our team is working nationally and not centred in one area or on one particular group. The intersectionality is important within that.

There is a trend. We need to ensure that, when the applications are coming in, we have a targeted approach so that women can access this programme. They can be the mechanics, which might be seen as non-traditional. It is also for young and old men. For older men, they might not have thought about an apprenticeship or seen it as an opportunity, but it is an opportunity for them to upskill and train. All of that is done through discussions, workshops and direct outreach. It is not just about grant application forms, but also the types of conversation we have directly with individuals and organisations to promote that. As Ms Kelly will be aware, some organisations, such as Offaly Traveller Movement, are setting up apprenticeships for Travellers in particular, which is positive. We welcome that. We can see that building up.

In essence, we want to see the uptake in employment. We want to see people taking up employment opportunities, being successful, reaching the very end and being supported from A to B in doing that, and the programme being resourced and supported in a way that can fulfil that goal.

Senator Rabbitte referenced dormant accounts funding. We would like to see that streamlined and more embedded. It can show, not only to the Traveller community, a model of really good practice. We are looking at this through the lens of discussing Travellers, but it can be a lens to show how a community-led programme can work.