Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

As the Deputy said, this funding will increase the numbers of apprentices already here. We see that phase 2 training capacity has increased from 5,600 in 2023 to over 7,000 in 2025 across the country.

He also mentioned the fact that more instructors are being put in place. Over 80 instructors were converted from fixed term to permanent, and that supports retention, which is the question the Deputy asks: how we will retain apprenticeships in this country? It is also worth noting that over 130 new instructors have been recruited.

He can see from that that the Government is determined to grow this sector. Retention of apprentices obviously depends on the work being there. We can see that. There is full employment in the sector. We need more apprentices, and the objective of this Government is to see that that pipeline of apprentices continues to grow.

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