Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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2593.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a projection of income and expenditure to and from the National Training Fund and the size of the NTF reserve out to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31014/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The NTF levy is collected by the Revenue Commissions as part of the PRSI collection system. The funds collected are included in the transfer of gross PRSI from the Revenue Commissioners to the Social Insurance Fund of the Department of Social Protection which undertakes an apportionment exercise to analyse PRSI collection data and to apportion funds to the Social Insurance Fund, the Health Levy and the National Training Fund. The following table shows the forecast of future revenue from PRSI as calculated by the Department of Social Protection in May 2023.

The NTF receives income from the European Social Fund in respect of ESF co-financed activities that have been pre-financed by the NTF. The level of receipts in any year depends on the amount certified to and reimbursed by the Commission in that year in respect of NTF funded activities. As set out in the Revised Estimated Volume for 2024, ESF receipts are forecast to be some €1m in 2024.

The projected expenditure is based on the current expenditure as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume being held constant for the period. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Economic Statement notes that the total expenditure ceiling of €105.4bn will accommodate new measures in line with Government priorities including in relation to measures funded from the National Training Fund.

Projected Income and Expenditure 2024 - 2030

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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2594.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeship registrations that underpin national training fund projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Apprenticeship registrations have seen a substantial growth in recent years, demonstrating the rising popularity of apprenticeship with employers and apprentices alike.

There are now 75 national apprenticeship programmes and a total population of over 27,000 apprentices.

Craft apprenticeship registrations have grown by 25% since 2019, supporting a buoyant construction sector and delivery of Government priorities on Housing for All, the Climate Action Plan and NDP delivery. Yearly apprenticeship registrations from 2019 to 2023 are set out below.

Funding for apprenticeship is provided through the National Training Fund and is subject to the annual Estimates process, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

However, it should be noted that investment in apprenticeship to grow capacity in the system has been a priority for my Department. An additional €67 million was secured for apprenticeship in Budget 2024, making the total 2024 apprenticeship allocation €298 million. This is an 83% increase when compared to the apprenticeship budget of €163 million in 2021, when the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was published.

Additionally, capital investment of €54.2m was allocated from 2021-2023 to SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority to facilitate additional craft places across the system.

The Government’s continued investment reaffirms the strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system.