Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a nationwide breakdown of all craft apprenticeships, with details on the number of students began their apprenticeships in each category in 2024 and the number of these students that dropped out of their studies in 2025, by category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41790/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In 2024, there were 7,113 registrations in craft apprentices. Of this cohort, as at 21 July 2025, 312 or 4% have a 'Left Trade Status'.

It should be noted that apprentices with “Left Trade Status” may choose to rejoin programmes and finish their apprenticeship, or to transfer to another apprenticeship, or they may choose to “leave trade” after a period of pausing their apprenticeships. As such, an apprentice’s “Left Trade Status” may change from time to time as a result and the table below represents a snapshot of their status at 21 July 2025.

The table below is broken down by craft programme.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of plumbing in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41791/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3349. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of electrical apprenticeships in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41792/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3350. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of brick and stone laying in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41793/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3351. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of geo-drilling in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41794/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of painting and decorating in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41795/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of plastering in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3354. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of scaffolding in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41797/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of stone cutting and stone masonry in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41798/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3356. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the number of students qualified in the craft apprenticeship program wood manufacturing and finishing in 2024 and 2025; for a breakdown of funding costs of this program for both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3357. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who qualified in the craft apprenticeship program of carpentry and joinery in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41804/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3348, 3349, 3350, 3351, 3352, 3353, 3354, 3355, 3356 and 3357 together.

The Government remains firmly committed to sustained investment in apprenticeship, recognising its vital role in building a skilled workforce and supporting economic and social development across all sectors.

My department secured a significant investment in apprenticeship of €67 million in Budget 2024, which together with a further increase of €77 million in Budget 2025 has brought apprenticeship funding to €339 million in 2025. This €339 million figure consists of €92 million for the Higher Education Authority, €236 million for SOLAS and €10 million for the National Apprenticeship Office.

SOLAS is the State agency responsible for the further education and training sector. A key part of its remit is to allocate funding to ETBs to deliver FET programmes, including apprenticeships. The HEA is the State agency responsible for the higher education sector. A key part of its remit is to allocate funding to higher education providers, including for apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are demand-led, with training delivered across both the further and higher education sectors. Due to the differing resource requirements of apprenticeships over time, it is not feasible to provide a detailed cost breakdown for each apprenticeship programme.

The table below provides the number of individuals who qualified in selected apprenticeship programmes in 2024 and to end June 2025: