Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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637. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of apprenticeships 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. [40287/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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This Government has made significant investment to grow the apprenticeship system. In Budget 2025 my Department secured a significant investment of €77.4m into the apprenticeship system. This represents the single largest investment in core apprenticeship funding since the formation of my Department in 2020 and, since then, investment in apprenticeship has increased by 83%.

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 August 2024 is 27,548.

Currently there are 77 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 50 plus occupations.

These are now apprenticeships across Logistics, Sales, Hospitality and Food, Construction, Engineering and Motor to name a few sectors.

Digital Marketing and Communications apprenticeship was launched in August 2024 and two new NFQ Level 9 apprenticeships, Social Work and Software Solutions Architect, were launched in May 2024. There are a further 23 apprenticeships in development.

Details of all 77 national apprenticeships are available on www.apprenticeship.ie.