Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

The Government remains firmly committed to apprenticeships and has significantly expanded the opportunities for learners in recent years. We fully recognise the vital role that apprentices play in equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to meet national priorities. That includes infrastructure delivery. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, and I have prioritised this area and in budget 2026 we secured an additional €79 million investment in apprenticeships. That is the largest investment since the formation of the Department. This investment will directly support the expansion of the craft apprenticeship system and support key trades such as plumbing and electrical, which are essential to delivering the national development plan 2025.

To further support apprentices, €2.5 million was also secured to reduce the cost of attending higher education. Generally we are talking here about phase 4 and phase 6 apprenticeships. What is important is that this will permanently lower fees by 17% for over 14,000 apprentices in the 2025 to 2026 academic year, including more than 11,000 craft apprentices. As can be seen, the Government not only recognises the need to increase the number of apprentices, especially in the craft trades, but we are supporting this objective by ensuing additional funding.

The evidence is there. In recent years, the apprenticeship system has grown significantly. For example, annual craft apprenticeship registrations rose by 63% from 2020 to 2024 and the number of apprentices in construction has risen by 50% between 2020 and 2025.

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