Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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659. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the annual spend on apprenticeship training in each year since 2010; the number of apprentices in training in each year; the way this is broken down across employment sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29774/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The information sought is provided in the following table. An examination of the apprenticeship data demonstrates that the number of apprentices employed in the various sectors has declined over the period 2007-2013, which reflects the lower level of activity within the wider economy, but in particular the construction sector.

The number of active apprentices in apprenticeship training with SOLAS at the end of the 2014 stood at 6,913. However, there was a 40% increase in the number apprentice registrations in 2014 compared to 2013.

The prognosis and forecast for future apprenticeships registrations remains strong. The number of apprentices being registered in 2015 by employers is 17% higher than the corresponding time in 2014. The increase in apprentice registration is primary being driven by employers in the electrical, engineering and motor sectors.

The programme cost incurred for the delivery of the apprenticeship scheme has generally reduced since 2010. This reduction reflects a decline in the general apprentice and redundant apprentice populations. However, the expected programme costs for 2015 are forecasted to increase in line with growth in the apprentice population.

End of Year Live Population by Sector & Trade 2010 - July 13th 2015

(numbers of apprentices recorded as in employment at 31 December each year).