Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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871. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices, by phase, in Cork, in tabular form. [54813/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to provide the Deputy with the requested table outlining the number of craft apprentices by phase in the Cork region, as of the end of November 2023, is attached. The table also breaks down the numbers by craft programme.

As you will see in the table, as of 30 November 2023, the Cork region has a total craft apprentice population of 2,744. This consists of 1,108 apprentices at Phase 1, 277 at Phase 2, 509 at Phase 3, 234 at Phase 4, 382 at Phase 5, 151 at Phase 6 and 83 at Phase 7.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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872. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average time it took, from phase 1 to completion, to complete each apprenticeship, by trade, in Cork, to date in 2023, in tabular form. [54814/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.

My officials have referred your query to SOLAS where the information requested is presently being compiled. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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873. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he provided funding to schools to engage in an apprenticeship transitional programme as provided by a school (details supplied) in Cork city. [54840/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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During 2023, as part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) began engagement with partners at second level and in further and higher education to explore the development of a Transition Unit (TU) on national apprenticeship options for delivery in Transition Year and with similar age cohorts in other second level settings (Youthreach and Community Training Centres). The NAO has not engaged, as of yet, with the school referred to by the Deputy. However, it is envisaged that the TU will ultimately be available to all second level schools and further education providers.

The response from partners has been positive and the 2024 workplan for the NAO will include the development of a TU with the aim of implementation from September 2024. Furthermore, the NAO has confirmed that it can work with the school referred to as part of this.