Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he intends to introduce additional supports to students undertaking construction related training and upskilling in order to assist in addressing the housing crisis. [25828/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important question.

Supporting students in construction-related training and upskilling is a key priority for my Department, to meet national housing, retrofit and infrastructure targets. We have significantly expanded supports in recent years, including new and flexible programmes aligned with the evolving needs of the construction sector.

We work closely with providers such as Laois Offaly ETB to roll out Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) training nationally. There are short and advanced courses on digital tools, off-site construction and Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards, many of which are delivered online or part-time.

The launch of a National Demonstration Park for MMC will provide a living skills and test environment, taking training to the next level and supporting learners in their journey.

Investment in relevant green skills is reflected in strong numbers on these courses. Since 2020, over 14,000 learners have enrolled in NZEB and retrofit training through ETB Centres of Excellence, with record uptake in 2024. These courses are free, short, and widely accessible, with weekend and evening options.

To address specific skills gaps, we’ve embedded heat pump technologies into the plumbing apprenticeship curriculum and launched upskilling courses for qualified plumbers. A pilot scheme launched in 2024 offers a €500 incentive to help plumbers take time off work to complete SEAI-recognised training through an ETB.

We remain committed to ensuring flexible and inclusive access to training, working in partnership with education and industry to develop the skills needed to support housing delivery and the green transition.