Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of an apprentice per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29903/18]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he finalised the per capita costing for both craft-based and consortia-led apprenticeships as part of the 2019 Estimates process; the number if completed; and, if not, when this process will be completed. [29929/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 122 together.

It is estimated that the cost of training an apprentice in one of the existing craft apprenticeships is approximately €6,700 per annum and the cost of training an apprentice in one of the new consortia led apprenticeships is approximately €5,100 per annum. However, as part of the 2019 estimates process my Department is currently reviewing the per capita costing for both craft based and consortia led apprenticeships. This exercise involves collecting detailed data from both SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority and, when completed, will provide a more accurate base from which future funding requirements can be established to meet the targets set out in our Apprenticeship Action Plan. It is expected that this exercise will be completed shortly.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the apprenticeship budget for 2016, 2017 and 2018; the estimated spend on apprenticeships in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29904/18]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the apprentice population in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 by year, that is, by stage of the apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29905/18]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent on developing and introducing new apprenticeship programmes in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of these programmes developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29908/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118 and 121 together.

This Government is committed to expanding the apprenticeship model into new sectors of the economy. Arising from our first call for apprenticeship proposals in 2015 eleven new apprenticeships have been developed in a wide range of sectors, including financial services, engineering, ICT and accounting. Further new apprenticeships will get underway later in 2018.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the 2016, 2017 and 2018 budget and expenditure for apprenticeship training and the apprenticeship population is set out in the tabular statements. Future years' allocations will be determined through the normal budgetary process which takes account of competing demands and the overall availability of resources.

** YTD end of June 2018.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of female apprentices in 2017 and to date 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29906/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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At the end of June, 2018 there was a total of 160 female apprentices registered across the 36 apprenticeship schemes currently on offer, which represents an increase of almost 170% on the 2016 figure of 60 and over 500% on the 2015 figure of 26.

The 2014 Review of Apprenticeship in Ireland acknowledged that the number of women employed in craft apprenticeships is low as they operate in sectors that have traditionally low levels of female employment. SOLAS offers a bursary to employers to encourage them to employ female apprentices in these areas. Despite this the number of female apprentices in the craft apprenticeships remains low.

Currently the Apprenticeship Council is overseeing the expansion of the apprenticeship system in Ireland into a range of new sectors of the economy, following two calls for new apprenticeship proposals from employers and education and training providers. To date eleven apprenticeship programmes are operational and we are now seeing a strong increase in female participation in many of these new programmes, particularly in the financial and hospitality sectors. With further new apprenticeships to get underway this year, many of which that are in sectors where there is a different gender balance in the workplace, it is expected, as these new apprenticeships are rolled out, that this will lead to a continued increase in female participation. While this is welcome, it is also important to address issues influencing the low level of recruitment of women in the craft sectors.

As set out in our Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, my Department, in conjunction with SOLAS, is currently reviewing the pathways to participation in apprenticeship in a range of diverse groups, including female participation. The review is due to be completed shortly.

Furthermore, a digital campaign to promote apprenticeship is now underway with a dedicated Twitter feed #Generation Apprenticeship, a new apprenticeship website , an Apprenticeship Ireland Facebook page and a LinkedIn page. In all aspects of the digital campaign women feature prominently and there will be a specific focus on encouraging women and girls to consider apprenticeship as a means of launching or developing their careers.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons with a disability engaged in an apprenticeship in 2017 and to date in 2018; the steps he is taking to increase this level of participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29907/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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As set out in our Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship in Ireland, SOLAS, in conjunction with my Department, is currently reviewing pathways to participation in apprenticeship for a range of underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. The review, due to be published shortly, will identify any barriers that may exist to participation in an apprenticeship programme for these groups and make recommendations for the future. It will also examine the level of participation for those with disabilities. The purpose of the review is to ensure that our national apprenticeship system is more reflective of the range and diversity of our population and more inclusive of diverse backgrounds and abilities.