Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For Roscommon-Galway, there has been great engagement with the MEPs here today. It is wonderful to see it. I thank Ms Walsh, especially for her work on gender-based violence and LGBTQI rights and particularly in the context of mental health. I know Mr. Markey will be attending a launch event of the Europe Direct library in Ballinasloe next Monday. It is very important. There are eight Europe Direct libraries that drive confidence in the future of Europe and engagement with the EU. European funding is crucial. I refer to 25 local community groups, including the Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Galway Rural Development as well as those relating to enterprise, broadband, tourism, biodiversity and renewable energies. It is quite important. It is about ways to incentivise people to live and work in the west, and that is all about broadband and remote working.

As spokesperson on further and higher education, I will ask Ms Walsh about apprenticeship programmes. How will Europe help us to increase young people and others to get skilled up? Many people are changing careers. What skills will be required for future work?

I ask Mr. Markey to focus on the role of young people and Macra na Feirme, specifically in regional areas. I know he has significant background in and experience of that issue.