James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am not impressed with the situation either. I would prefer if we were not in this situation. Sometimes in politics, we have to play the hands that we are dealt. Sometimes we would prefer they are different but they are what they are and we have to make the best of them. My job as Minister is to manage the situations that arise.

I have said no class will be cancelled. I did not say anything else. There is a reason for that. I am adamant that no class will be cancelled. I will not say anything beyond that, other than SOLAS is working with the ETBs on an ongoing basis to manage scheduling and how the classes are delivered and their timetables. That will correspond to the budgets they have available to them.

That is an ongoing process between SOLAS, an independent agency, and the ETBs. They have that ongoing engagement and will continue to work together. They are fully supported by officials from my Department to get to the bottom this issue in terms of unlocking the resource challenge and moving things forward. The Government, the Department and I am committed to the overall system and to reaching the targets. In the programme for Government, there is a target of having 12,500 apprentice registrations per annum by 2030 and ensuring the successful retention and progression of apprenticeships. That remains a priority for me and the Government. We want to address the funding pressures.

I might come back to the Deputy in due course with the roadmap. I am not in a position to provide it at the moment. However, I can reassure Deputies that this is a very live issue and that it is being actively worked on. I am intent that it will be resolved, but we are a little away from determining the mechanics and outworkings of that just yet. I ask the Deputies to give me a little time to work that through, and perhaps I will update them in due course.

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