Ms Maria Walsh:

I thank the Senator for her kind words and all the work she is doing, particularly in respect of vocational education training. We spoke at length previously regarding the impact that would result from removing the stigma that Erasmus+ or apprenticeships have for some but not for all.It is about breaking down that barrier of communication and really looking beyond what a highbrow academic career can give a person, but also that work on the ground. I also acknowledge the Senator's point around the European Direct Information Centre. It is a phenomenal network and certainly something we need to promote and continue to engage with.

In terms of vocational education and training, in vocational education as a whole, I put forward an idea through the employment committee, which got political support right across the House, for a portal for others to feed into opportunities, both in apprenticeships and full-time roles for all ages, removing the restriction. Lifelong learning has to become a part of our everyday work and study environment so that we are not just finishing secondary school or third level and then removing ourselves from the education stream. That portal would ensure that it covers all 27 member states. Someone from the Senator's constituency of Midlands–North-West could, therefore, travel anywhere across the EU and engage with and talk about the benefits of the European Union but also get skills he or she might not receive here in Ireland. That is, therefore, something on which we are working.

I acknowledge that in her State of the Union speech last week, Ursula von der Leyen mentioned ALMA, a new programme for younger people, again, around vocational educational training to feed into opportunities, which is similar to the portal I just mentioned. I will, therefore, make sure to relay that information.

With 13 seconds remaining, I want to feed a little bit into agriculture. To address the Senator's point, we speak with women farmers a lot. Macra na Feirme has a large female representation. I certainly look forward to working with the Senator and Mr. Markey in making sure women are very much a part of the upcoming CAP.