Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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822. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of candidates who are affected by the backlog for apprenticeships for electricians, carpenters and plumbers, including those waiting to do their apprenticeships and those waiting to finish their apprenticeships; and the reason that a backlog exists. [55062/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Apprenticeships are employer led demand driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employers in any area or sector.

Top level data for the end of October has just come available. 4,937 apprentices are waiting over six months. SOLAS are working to provide further places across the system to address the high numbers of apprentices who need to undertake their off-the-job learning phases. With the commitment of a further €17.2m in capital investment into 2023, this need for increased capacity continues to be actively managed. The funding means that SOLAS are able to continue the progress already made to address those programmes with the highest numbers of apprentices waiting to be placed.