Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on any progress being made on the funding issues at SOLAS and ETBs’ apprenticeship training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55895/25]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, through ongoing engagement between SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), a funding pressure was identified for the 2025 apprenticeship budget. This pressure was primarily linked to the cost of State Allowances paid to apprentices during their off-the-job training phases.

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

I directed SOLAS to ensure that no existing apprenticeship classes would be cancelled as this issue was worked through. A resolution was found and resources will be prioritised to meet this pressure in 2025. SOLAS worked closely with ETBs to complete detailed scheduling for the remainder of the year. This work is now complete, and on 11 August, SOLAS confirmed final apprenticeship funding allocations with ETBs, enabling them to proceed with scheduling and delivery without delay.

No apprenticeship classes were cancelled, and nor were any budgets for other FET programmes affected because of the apprenticeship funding pressure.

Through Budget 2026, which saw a significant investment of €79 million in apprenticeship delivery, permanent funding has been secured to address any full year costs associated with the funding pressure in 2026.

Apprenticeship funding has more than doubled since 2020, rising from €184 million to over €410 million by 2026, a clear demonstration of this Government’s continuing commitment to support and expand the apprenticeship system.