Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see some movement on the matter. However, let us compare the statistics with those in our nearest neighbour in England. In 2016-17, 54% of all apprenticeships there were taken up by women, a sizeable number. The number of women starting apprenticeships in England has been higher than the number of men every year since 2010-11. We can learn a great deal from this.

In general, we need to do more in promoting apprenticeships. We saw the results of the survey unveiled recently showing the number of young people leaving third level before the end of first year. The increased emphasis on career guidance and the pathway through apprenticeships should help. We engaged on this issue at the Joint Committee on Education and Skills where Nessa White, the chief executive of Education and Training Boards Ireland, spoke about a video that her organisation had made about a woman who had started an apprenticeship as a welder. It attracted a good deal of interest to the area, but we need to do more to seek out female role models. Without a shadow of a doubt, we need to put more supports in place. When we brought the Private Members' Bill before the House in November, the Ministers were supportive of it. The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, used the opportunity to promote the grant scheme for female apprenticeships. What practical additional measures will be put in place to incentivise employers and women to take up these positions?

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