Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2711. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentices that have completed Phase 1 and are awaiting a Phase 2 placement; the average and projected waiting times if the pause on new Phase 2 classes continues in 2025; if there are any budgetary constraints; and whether supplementary funding is being sought to address delays. [45589/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Earlier this year, through ongoing engagement between SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), a funding pressure was identified for the 2025 apprenticeship budget. I directed my officials to work with SOLAS to urgently develop a plan to provide a sustainable solution to this with the least impact possible on existing apprentices.

The demand for craft apprenticeships has increased significantly since 2019. Registrations for craft programmes grew by 34% between the end of 2019 and the end of 2024, from 5,300 to over 7,000. The number of craft apprentices reached 25,000 at the end of 2024, up from 16,000 in 2019. This growth is both welcome and essential. A robust and expanding craft apprenticeship pipeline is critical to achieving Government targets in housing delivery, retrofitting, and infrastructure development.

To support this essential growth, I am prioritising resources to meet the funding pressure in 2025. I directed SOLAS to work urgently with ETBs to complete detailed scheduling for the remainder of the year. This work is now completed and ETBs received their updated funding allocations on 11 August, enabling them to proceed with scheduling and delivery without delay.

I also engaged directly with the SOLAS Board, and my Department has engaged with the SOLAS executive, to ensure that no existing apprenticeship classes will be cancelled.

As at the end of August there were 2,175 apprentices waiting six months or more to take up a Phase 2 training place. It is important to note that there needs to be a pipeline of apprentices who are ready to start their training to ensure economies of scale for classes. Since apprentices register throughout the year, and classes are scheduled on a rolling basis, that pipeline will grow and shrink throughout the year. SOLAS works with ETBs to monitor each trade individually and ensure sufficient training capacity on an ongoing basis.

The Government is committed to growing apprenticeships, with €67 million allocated in Budget 2024 and €77 million allocated in Budget 2025, bringing the total budget to €339 million in 2025. This is an 84% increase from the apprenticeship budget of €184 million in 2020.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2712. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for new apprenticeships to be offered in Roscommon and the timeframe for their operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45605/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

SOLAS has advised that there are no current plans for apprenticeship expansion in Roscommon.

Information on apprenticeship provision for specific counties is not available. The statistical and other information held by SOLAS is tied to the wider Education and Training Board (ETB) region. In this case, that would be Galway and Roscommon ETB (GRETB).

At present, 11 apprenticeship programmes are offered across the GRETB region. This includes five craft programmes: Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Metal Fabrication, Motor Mechanics, and Plumbing. There are also six consortia-led programmes: Accounting Technician, Arboriculture, Auctioneering & Property Management, Commis Chef, Hairdressing, and Software Development.