James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for the question. We have had some discussion on this in the Chamber previously. The funding SOLAS receives has increased substantially, with current funding in 2025 representing a €310 million, or 37%, uplift compared to 2020. That has enabled one in ten adults to engage in learning funded by SOLAS and highlights the vital role of further education and training in workforce upskilling and lifelong learning.

To date this year, I have allocated nearly €1.3 billion to SOLAS in total funding to deliver national priorities in apprenticeships, upskilling, reskilling, literacy and so forth. SOLAS allocates this funding to the 16 ETBs to deliver programmes based on agreed targets. SOLAS and the ETBs must work with one another to manage their allocations. I hear that some ETBs are looking for more while others are making the most of what they have, but that is a normal and healthy dynamic between a funder and a funded organisation. They have to work together.

It is important to point out that a funding pressure has been identified in the budget. A budgetary issue arose and came to my attention about two weeks ago. Funding was found to be insufficient to cover the needs for the current year and that is something I am working through. I have been engaging with the Minister for public expenditure on it since it came to my attention. It is a legacy issue that stems from a situation that arose last year and the year before. There was a backlog in apprentices and those that should have been progressing much faster through the system were not, which put pressure on the system. This goes back to the issue of pay because the apprentices still in the system were being paid a higher rate than they should have been had they been progressing through faster.

Ultimately, it is a legacy issue. I am aware of it and I am working on it. I have made the House aware of it. I do not believe we will see issues arising. I have written to SOLAS to say that no apprenticeship courses should be cancelled as a result.

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