Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1402. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the funding issues for SOLAS and ETBs, and any delays in apprenticeships or cuts to courses or staff across all aspects of the ETB education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47623/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Through ongoing engagement between SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), a funding pressure was identified for the 2025 apprenticeship budget.

Since then, my Department and SOLAS have been working to develop a plan to provide a sustainable solution to this with the least impact possible on existing apprentices.

Demand for craft apprenticeships has grown significantly, with annual registrations increasing by 35% since 2019 from 5,271 in 2019 to 7,113 in 2024. The number of craft apprentices reached 25,000 at the end of 2024, up from 16,000 in 2019.

Significant Government investment in apprenticeship over 2024 and 2025 has also unblocked the previous backlog at phase 2 - increasing the overall volume of apprentices now progressing through both Phases 2 and 4.

This growth is both welcome and necessary, given the vital role apprentices play in supporting the construction sector and delivering on key Government priorities such as housing, retrofitting, and infrastructure development.

To support this essential growth, I am prioritising resources to meet the increased pressure in 2025. There have been no cuts to funding for FET provision as a result of the apprenticeship funding pressure.

I directed SOLAS to work urgently with ETBs to complete detailed scheduling for the remainder of the year. This work is now complete and SOLAS confirmed final apprenticeship funding allocations with ETBs on 11 August, enabling them to proceed with scheduling and delivery.

I have 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 Minister, I have no role in the operational day-to-day running of ETBs as the scheduling and programming of courses is a matter for each ETB, subject to the available budget and local needs. As the state agency responsible for the further education and training sector, SOLAS allocates funding to 16 ETBs and other agencies to deliver FET programmes. Each ETB must prioritise and manage delivery of further education and training programmes strictly within their allocated budget.

My Department has significantly increased its investment in SOLAS by nearly €310 million, excluding capital, from 2020 to 2025, a 37% increase . This investment enabled one in ten adults to engage in learning last year, highlighting the vital role of FET in workforce upskilling and lifelong learning.