Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he has taken to reduce delays in apprenticeships in Cork. [27050/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In Cork Education and Training Board, apprenticeship funding rose from €17.1m in 2023 to €17.9m in 2024. Two workshops, one electrical and one plumbing were completed in 2023 following an investment of €1,000,000.

Cork Education and Training Board is increasing its craft apprenticeship provision from 440 training places in 2022 to over 600 training places in 2024 across 10 craft programmes, ranging from construction apprenticeships such as Brick and Stonelaying, plumbing and electrical to motor mechanics and refrigeration.

These programmes will be delivered by 29 instructors - an increase of 8 since February this year.

In addition, there are 65 instructors for Phase 4 and 6 off-the-job training delivered in MTU Cork and Cork College of FET, Mallow campus - where phase 4 and 6 training is provided in 10 craft programmes, including;

• Mechanical Automotive Maintenance Fitting
• Construction Plant Fitting
• Metal Fabrication, and
• Plastering