Results 1-20 of 1,543 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Marian Harkin

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: My Department works with sectoral partners such as SOLAS to increase skills supply through the current network of skills provision. In relation to the apprenticeship system, SOLAS has responsibility for craft apprenticeships under the Industrial Training Act 1967 and the Further Education and Training Act 2013. Oversight is provided by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO), a joint body...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: A number of Government strategies have highlighted the major demands on Ireland’s construction workforce across Government priorities in housing, climate action, and other vital infrastructure. The ESRI, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council have all questioned the capacity of the sector to respond to demands. Recent data...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2110 and 2111 together. This Government is providing a range of training options in the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet infrastructural priorities under the National Development Plan. The job of addressing pressing skills needs must be a collaborative effort and my Department works with sectoral partners,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: The Deputy is right to highlight the urgency of equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet the Government’s infrastructure priorities under the National Development Plan. The apprenticeship model is certainly an invaluable part of the overall tertiary response to these requirements, and the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: I welcome the opportunity to set out the funding allocated in Budget 2026 for the expansion of the construction and green talent pipeline in support of Government priorities. Building on existing momentum to further expand the training offerings for these areas, Budget 2026 provides €1.75m to SOLAS and Skillnet Ireland to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the skills required...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: The Deputy is right to highlight the urgency of equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet the Government’s infrastructure priorities under the National Development Plan. The apprenticeship model is certainly an invaluable part of the overall tertiary response to these requirements, and the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards (4 Nov 2025)

Marian Harkin: This Government is providing a range of training options in the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet infrastructural priorities under the National Development Plan. The job of addressing pressing skills needs must be a collaborative effort and my Department works with sectoral partners, such as SOLAS, the National Construction Training Campus,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Construction Industry (21 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: Ireland needs people with construction skills and experience to help deliver on ambitious targets for new housing and infrastructure. A recent report (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-further-and-higher-education-re search-innovation-and-science/publications/an-update-to-the- report-on-the-analysis-of-skills-for-residential-constructio n-and-retrofitting/.) by the Department shows a need for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (16 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: My Department, in partnership with our agencies and the sector, has been undertaking significant work over recent years to increase the range of education and training pathways available to students. There is now an unprecedented range of options available to learners, spanning further and higher education, tertiary programmes and apprenticeships. While this increased diversity is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: In Budget 2026, I was pleased to secure a significant €79 million investment for apprenticeship delivery - the largest increase since this Department was founded. In the context of this significant new investment I have requested that the training allowance for apprentices working in the engineering sector are reviewed as a priority, to examine updating the training allowance for this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (16 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: The Government is focused on equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills required to deliver on national infrastructure priorities. Workers are needed across the construction sector, and engineers will play a critical role in helping Ireland meet its construction targets. To support this, an alternative delivery model for civil engineering has been developed to entice stronger...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: Whenever possible, SOLAS schedules craft apprentices to the available training location nearest to their home. However, this is not always possible. Apprenticeships are national programmes and not all apprenticeship programmes are available in every Education and Training Board or Higher Education Institute. If a placement is not available near an apprentice’s home, SOLAS will...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (16 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: I would like to thank Deputy O’Sullivan for raising this important question. This Government is focused on equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet infrastructural priorities under the National Development Plan. Workers are needed across different skills levels and the apprenticeship model is an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: I would like to thank Deputy Currie for raising this important question. This Government is focused on equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to deliver new housing, drive retrofitting projects, and meet Ireland’s infrastructural priorities under the National Development Plan. Workers are needed across different skills levels and the apprenticeship model...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: I would like thank Deputy Currie for her question and her interest in how our department is supporting the use and adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC). Advancing MMC is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and my Department works with sectoral partners such as SOLAS, Education and Training Boards, the National Construction Training Campus, and Skillnet Ireland to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: With thanks to Deputy Currie for her interest in the development of the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Located at the National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas, the National Demonstration Park for MMC will serve as a national hub to showcase MMC housing and systems. The Park will be central to advancing the take-up of MMC in Ireland as a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: I would like to thank the Deputy for her interest in the National Demonstration Park for MMC in Mount Lucas, Co Offaly, which is a central plank in our strategy for advancing the take-up of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The construction of the Demonstration Park is progressing well, with the enabling groundworks for Phase 1 expected to be completed by the end of October. These...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (7 Oct 2025)

Marian Harkin: With thanks to Deputy Currie for her interest in the new National Demonstration Park for MMC which is being constructed in Mount Lucas, Co. Offaly. It is important to reflect on the objectives of the National Demonstration Park for MMC, these include:To provide an accessible ‘flagship’ location for MMC demonstration in Ireland, and in so doing to facilitate the showcasing of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Marian Harkin: I can assure the Deputy that the role of community education is a recognised and valued component in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. Community education is crucial for individual growth, social cohesion, and democratic participation. It provides local, accessible learning opportunities, fosters skills development, and builds confidence, ultimately promoting greater community...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (30 Sep 2025)

Marian Harkin: I can confirm to the Deputy that my officials are in the process of scheduling this meeting for November.