Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I spoke earlier about the apprenticeship action plan, of which members are well aware, and the targets contained therein. Our primary role is to support SOLAS, aided by the HEA and the ETBs in the role they play in the area of apprenticeships. In the case of almost every apprenticeship programme, there is a basic requirement that there cannot be an apprentice without an employer, who is the sponsor. That is integral to the whole process. We have been supporting employers, particularly during the pandemic, by way of the apprentice incentivisation scheme, which has been extended to the end of the year. The number of apprenticeship registrations has surpassed our expectations this year as we emerged from the pandemic. That is good news.

In terms of creating the infrastructure and capacity at our TUs and ETBs, we have an extensive capital budget, which is voted through at budget time. The flow of that money goes from our Department to the HEA, which then manages the applications from ETBs, TUs and universities for capital funding.

The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, TUS, was used as an example from when the committee visited Limerick. It has a project at a facility in Coonagh, where it has bought a property, that it has advanced quite significantly. It is almost at a conclusion. Some minor details have to be wrapped up between it and the Higher Education Authority. It is a similar case with Munster Technological University, MTU. We have a significant capital budget to support all of those organisations with the capacity to provide the increase in apprenticeships we want to see.