Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I am happy to welcome budget 2026. It takes meaningful steps to delivering many of the commitments contained in the programme for Government. It is important to say that a programme for Government is a five-year commitment, and we have made a reasonable start in many areas. Looking at my Department, we are providing an additional €79 million in funding for apprenticeships, bringing the total investment in apprenticeships in 2026 to more than €408 million. That is double what it was five years ago.

One of our commitments in the programme for Government is for 12,500 new apprenticeship registrations by 2030. We are well on target to meet that figure. We had 78 apprenticeship programmes across industries from technology to finance, accounting technicians, healthcare, engineering and the traditional craft industries. Furthermore, it is crucial that apprenticeships are never seen as plan B or C. They are plan A for very many people and the best way to ensure that is to provide the level of funding that budget 2026 has provided.

We are investing in modern methods of construction, MMC, that will help transform the building industry. They will increase productivity and create diverse career pathways. I am especially interested in more young women being involved in construction. On a recent visit to Vision Built in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, which manufactures 2D components and 3D modular builds, I met quite a number of women involved in this cutting-edge industry.

I am pleased specific funding has been allocated to SOLAS and Skillnet Ireland to deliver the skills that help achieve our housing and green infrastructure goals. The national demonstration park in Mount Lucas, County Offaly, for MMC for will open next year. It is a flagship project.

With regard to the Green Skills 2030 strategy, we are moving to full delivery. Budget 2026 funding will allow education and training boards across the country to roll out programmes in key sectors like agriculture, the marine, forestry, construction and business, as well as expanding the Skillnet offshore wind academy to train workers for the renewable energy sector.

I am very pleased with some of the measures in budget 2026 outside my Department, in particular the major increase in the income disregard for carer's allowance - €1,000 per week for a single person, €2,000 for a couple. That is a significant step towards abolishing the means test for family carers.

I am pleased to see balanced regional development in action in the living city initiative, which provides tax incentives for individuals and businesses to revitalise town centres. Up to now it was just available in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway; it will now also be available in Sligo, Letterkenny, Athlone, Dundalk and Drogheda. That is balanced regional development in action.

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