Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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531. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce any new apprenticeship programmes in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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This Government has made significant investment to grow the apprenticeship system. Budget 2024 provides €67m for investment into apprenticeship. In total, €300m has been provided for apprenticeship in 2024.

The funding will support skills development in vital areas, especially in construction skills, and support delivery of Government commitments in Housing for All, Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, National Development Plan, and the Climate Action Plan.

The total number serving an apprenticeship at the end of May 2024 is 27,205.

Currently there are 75 national apprenticeships available, between NFQ levels 5 and 10. This is up from 53 national programmes in 2019, representing a big increase in choice for learners and employers alike.

Adding to 25 traditional craft programmes, consortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards in response to emerging occupational profiles, and are providing employment, career development and a pathway to a recognised qualification for apprentices across some 50 occupations.

These are now apprenticeships across Construction, Engineering, Healthcare, ICT, Accounting and Finance, and Beauty to name a few sectors.

Two new NFQ Level 9 apprenticeships, Social Work and Software Solutions Architect, were launched in May 2024. There are a further 14 apprenticeships with a target launch in 2024 in development including a Digital Marketing and Communications apprenticeship.

Details of all 75 national apprenticeships are available on .