Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the targets in place for the number of construction-related apprenticeships in each of the next five years with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; the target for apprenticeship completions in this time period with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33175/16]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimate by his Department of the number of apprenticeships required to meet construction-related activity here in the next five years with a breakdown by apprenticeship type; if he will detail any deficits identified by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33176/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together.

The forecast registrations for existing apprenticeships is set out in the following table.

As the Deputy will be aware, the route to an apprenticeship is through gaining employment with an approved employer.  SOLAS has informed me that the forecast for future apprenticeship registrations is strong and the number of apprentices being registered by employers at the end of October 2016 is 19% higher than at the corresponding time in 2015. The increase in apprentice registration is primarily being driven by employers in the electrical, engineering and motor sectors, with modest growth occurring in the construction related apprenticeships.

The Programme for Government commits to providing 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship places up to 2020. SOLAS and the Apprenticeship Council are preparing a detailed 3 year plan to deliver on this commitment, which will include managing the pipeline of new apprenticeships and setting out the timing and nature of new calls for proposals. This plan will be published shortly and will set out specific annual targets as well as bringing forward a range of specific actions to enable and support the development of new apprenticeships and traineeships.

A campaign to promote apprenticeship is currently being developed by SOLAS in consultation with key partners including the Apprenticeship Council. The campaign will raise awareness and promote the value of apprenticeship for individual apprentices and for employers and it will cover both existing apprenticeships and the new apprenticeships now coming on stream.