Written answers

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Apprenticeship Programmes

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the take-up to date of the subsidy to employers for enrolling apprentices; the breakdown by sector; and if consideration will be given to extending the closing date of the scheme. [29254/20]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the take-up to date of the subsidy to employers for enrolling apprentices; the break down by sector; and if he will consider extending the closing date of the scheme. [29255/20]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

As of the 5 October, 483 companies had applied for grants under the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, in respect of 891 apprentices. The attached tabular statement provides a breakdown of these applications by company sector, and also by apprenticeship programme.

APPRENTICESHIP COUNT
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing 13
Vehicle Body Repairs 5
Toolmaking 7
Software Developer Associate 1
Sheet Metalworking 2
Sales 5
Retail Supervision 1
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 14
Recruitment Executive 1
Polymer Processing Technology 1
Plumbing 107
Plastering 6
Pipefitting 8
Painting and Decorating 6
OEM Engineer 4
Motor Mechanics 38
Metal Fabrication 40
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) 2
Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7) 8
M.A.M.F. 22
Logistics Associate 1
Lean Sigma Manager 1
Insurance Practitioner 28
Instrumentation 17
Industrial Insulation 3
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics 11
Electronic Security Systems 16
Electrical Instrumentation 6
Electrical 380
Cybersecurity 4
Construction Plant Fitting 6
Commis Chef 2
Carpentry and Joinery 79
Brick and Stonelaying 8
Auctioneering and Property Services 28
Agricultural Mechanics 2
Accounting Technician 8
891

SECTOR COUNT
Accounting 5
Auctioneering And Property Services 25
Construction 332
Equipment Manufacturing 5
Financial Services 1
Food 3
Food And Beverage Service Activities 3
Information Service Activities 2
Insurance 9
Logistics 1
Mechanical/electrical 43
Motor 47
Plastics And Rubber 3
Recruitment 1
Sales 3
483

There has been strong interest in this scheme since it launched in mid-August which is reflected in the level of applications to-date. Apprenticeship registrations on a monthly basis are increasing, reaching 753 in September which is approaching pre-Covid levels (There were 812 registrations in the same time period in 2019).

An advertising campaign to further promote this initiative is planned shortly and it is also being promoted through a series of engagements with the Regional Skills Fora with Minister Harris, Minister Humphreys and myself.

Any extension to the scheme will be considered in the context of available funding and overall funding priorities in the 2021 estimates.

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