Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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617. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans for the expansion of pre-apprenticeship courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/23]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Pre-Apprenticeship programmes are offered by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). While this is under the funding and strategic direction of SOLAS, the ETBs decide on the level and nature of pre-apprenticeship programmes, which is based on learner demand. In 2019 a three-year open call was issued for pre-apprenticeship programmes which commenced in 2020. Learner enrolments on these programmes, which operate on an academic year basis are:

2020/2021289

2021/2022370

2022/2023355

Data for learner enrolments in 2023 is not available currently. The number of pre-apprenticeship programmes offered by the ETBs has increased to just over 40 programmes, including courses in construction, engineering, and ICT.

Additionally, the distinct Access to Apprenticeship scheme, supports the transition of young people (16-24) from disadvantaged backgrounds into an apprenticeship scheme. It is a 12-week full-time programme delivered by the College of Engineering & Built Environment on the Bolton Street campus of TU Dublin, and also by the Department of Built Environment on the TUS Moylish campus, Limerick city.