Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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12. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to expand apprenticeship and skills training opportunities in rural areas such as County Galway, where access to approved training centres remains limited; if consideration will be given to establishing mobile or satellite training hubs in partnership with ETBs to reduce travel and dropout rates among rural apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55759/25]

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the debate here this morning. I ask the Minister to set out the steps being taken to expand apprenticeship and skills training opportunities right across areas such as County Galway, where access to approved training centres remains limited in some instances; if consideration will be given to establishing mobile or satellite training hubs in partnership with ETBs to reduce travel and dropout rates among rural apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I hear the Deputy's question because this is an issue that has come to my attention, especially in more rural counties. Apprenticeships are national programmes. As much as possible, SOLAS schedules craft apprentices to an available training location near to the home of the apprentice. If a placement is not available near an apprentice's home, SOLAS will endeavour to schedule him or her to attend the nearest available location. As with every other post-secondary education route, not all programmes are available in every location. During their induction, apprentices are advised that they may be required to travel to other counties for training. Apprentices are assigned a training adviser in their employer's region, who provides ongoing support throughout the programme.

Craft apprentices required to travel outside their home region may qualify for an accommodation allowance. Travel and meal allowances are also available, although it is important to say that only one type of allowance is payable per training phase. In the national survey of apprenticeships which was published last month, 87% of apprentices reported that they are enjoying their apprenticeship experience and 84% have developed confidence in their ability to learn. A total of 85% are glad they chose the apprenticeship route and feel part of their organisation, and, crucially, 94% believe their apprenticeship will provide good employment opportunities.

This positive experience is reflected in the relatively low non-progression rates. That is something we should look at where apprenticeships are concerned. There are very low non-progression rates. Between 90% and 92% of first-year apprentices progress to their second year.

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. We all need to promote and support apprenticeships and to encourage apprentices to follow through to qualification, because there is a much-needed requirement and demand, particularly to service industry. If we think about construction, that is the core heart of people we will need in the future. We need them now, but the more encouragement we can give them to follow through with their apprenticeships and training, the better it will be for this island.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy. I absolutely agree. That is why an extra €79 million was acquired in this budget for apprenticeships, bringing the overall investment to nearly €411 million. That is clear evidence of the Government's determination to fund the apprentice system. It is more than just funding. It is also ensuring that more and more people see apprenticeships as a viable and exciting educational pathway. Much work is going into that. I know the Deputy is concerned about this issue of apprentices receiving training closer to their home location. I fully understand that but it is important to say that every effort is made by SOLAS to try to ensure that can happen. Where learners are travelling outside of their home region, certain allowances are available. They can decline a call to a location up to three times. The system is as flexible as it can be.

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome that. The more remote or rural the training courses are, the easier it is, at times, to find accommodation. We almost always hear that in urban settings, accommodation is nigh impossible to secure. In instances where courses could be rolled out in more rural or satellite towns, out of the cities and bigger towns, accommodation is sometimes that bit more accessible. I am interested in the Minister of State's responses on this matter. I appreciate that she is mindful of it and that it is something we can look forward to seeing progressed.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I fully appreciate what the Deputy is saying. Accommodation is a significant issue for all third level students. We are talking about apprenticeships in particular. I just had a look at the apprenticeships that are available in Galway-Roscommon ETB. I see that it offers training in various locations. For example, Galway Technical Institute offers training as an accounting technician, auctioneering and commis chef are offered in Athenry, hairdressing is offered in Galway Technical Institute, and software development is offered in the Mervue training centre. The Deputy can see from that that a real effort is being made. I have just a few locations here. The Deputy will be aware of all of them in his own county. Every effort is being made to try to ensure that the courses available for apprenticeships are in locations that are as suitable as possible for them to attend.