Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

It is not possible to provide figures on participation in apprenticeship training on a county-by-county basis. However, the following apprenticeship programmes are available through Louth & Meath Education and Training Board: Hairdressing, Network Engineer, ICT Software Development, Plumbing, Carpentry and Joinery, Pipefitting, Electrical, Toolmaking, Motor Mechanics, Metal Fabrication, and Wood Manufacturing & Finishing.

On account of the strong growth in apprenticeship demand relative to system capacity, of the total LMETB apprentice population of 1,524 in 2020, 607 were on waiting lists. The figures in 2021 were a population of 1,921 and 696 waiting. There was a population of 2,090 in 2022, with 664 waiting. Last year, the population was 2,339 with 680 waiting. These delays were encountered in particular on the electrical, plumbing, carpentry & joinery, metal fabrication and mechanical automotive maintenance fitter programmes.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that due to a series of significant actions to increase apprenticeship capacity, substantial progress is already being made on reducing the delays in apprenticeship training.

Indeed, from the national waiting list of craft apprentices, I can confirm that a total of 876 have been scheduled or started their Phase 2 training through LMETB from 1st January 2024. Of these, 80 apprentices have been scheduled to undertake their training at Dundalk IT as part of the emergency response to backlogs in 2024.

It is a priority for the Department that such progress will continue throughout 2024.

Regarding apprenticeships associated with the green transition, NZEB training is embedded in the Carpentry & Joinery curriculum, and NZEB awareness will be addressed in the Brick & Stone, Plastering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Pipefitting, and potentially the Sheet Metal, programmes when they undergo a revalidation process.

The revised electrical curriculum incorporates modules on alternative electrical energy sources covering solar PV generation, wind generation, energy storage technologies and EV charging.

The revised plumbing curriculum incorporates renewable and sustainable energy, which covers water conservation systems, solar heating technology, heat pump technology and biomass technology and installation.

The Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician apprenticeship has 28 apprentices registered to date. The National Apprenticeship Office has also recently received three initial green-skills related apprenticeship proposals. These will be considered through the standard appraisal process.