John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of people currently employed to provide training to apprentices, by apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55738/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, supported by strong government investment, the apprenticeship system has grown significantly. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations have risen 63% from 4,377 in 2020, the year in which my department was formed, to 7,113 in 2024. In the same period Consortia-led registrations have grown from 949 to 2,239.

This investment has also supported a 34% growth in the number of apprenticeship programmes available from 58 to 78. There are now 25 craft apprenticeship programmes and 53 consortia-led programmes designed to serve industry needs across multiple sectors such as construction, ICT, hospitality, health, and social care - supporting Ireland both economically and socially. Work is ongoing to expand apprenticeship options further, with new programmes in development.

Next year we will launch the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, setting a target to increase annual apprentice registrations from 9,352 in 2024 to 12,500 by 2030. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are scheduled to commence shortly. With the significant investment I secured in Budget 2026 bringing the total funding for apprenticeship to over €400 million, a strong foundation has been laid from which to further expand the apprenticeship system, including through additional recruitment to support the delivery of training and achieve the 12,500 target by 2030.

The information requested is not readily available and will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has examined the option of widening the apprenticeship routes to include routes into engineering; if his Department will provide greater information and training to guidance counsellors on engineering careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55833/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to the apprenticeship model of learning. It is a proven pathway to a valued qualification and employment. Since 2019 the total apprentice population has grown from 17,829 to 29,772 as of the end of last year. This has been matched by an increase in investment from €142m in 2019 to over the €400m earmarked for apprenticeship in 2026.

Currently there are 19 apprenticeships classed as engineering. These range from level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications up to level 10 and span both craft and consortia-led apprenticeship delivery mechanisms. Traditional trades such as metal fabrication and pipefitting are available alongside newer offerings such as civil engineering level 6 & 7 and advanced manufacturing engineering level 8.

In 2021 there were 859 registrations across the then 15 available engineering apprenticeships compared to 1,007 in 2024 across the now 19 available apprenticeships, an increase of 17%.

There remains considerable interest in developing new engineering apprenticeships which demonstrates the continuing relevance of apprenticeship in addressing skills needs in this rapidly evolving sector.

There is no doubt that an apprenticeship in engineering is a valuable and respected qualification, four engineering apprenticeships are at level 8 or higher, including the only doctoral level apprenticeship, principal engineer.

For the past two years, the National Apprenticeship Office has held a workshop at the Institute for Guidance Councillors annual conference to promote apprenticeship (including engineering apprenticeships) as a pathway for learners. The theme of this workshop has been 'Meeting Future Skills Needs through apprenticeships and further education and training.' Building on feedback from the first of these workshops, the NAO published a directory of apprentice employers. This is updated on a monthly basis and is designed to aid prospective apprentices to identify an apprentice employer.

Each year, the National Apprenticeship Office promotes apprenticeship (including engineering apprenticeships) to the guidance councillors and their students attending Higher Options and WorldSkills Ireland Live.

Facts Faces Futures is a national campaign that engages with guidance councillors that is designed to promote women in apprenticeships included a targeted drive to increase the number of women in craft apprenticeships including engineering apprenticeships.

Consortia-led Apprenticeship Programme teams from engineering-related apprenticeships regularly speak or provide information to schools and centres on engineering apprenticeships.

I look forward to examining how engineering and other apprenticeships can be promoted in the development of the next Action Plan for Apprenticeship.