Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagements he has had with a union (details supplied) representing apprentices since becoming Minister in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56052/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The primary mode of engagement with social partners on apprenticeship matters is the Labour Employer Economic Forum Subgroup on Apprenticeships which I chair. Its purpose is to examine and discuss issues relating to further strengthening and delivering on the reform and expansion of Ireland’s national apprenticeship system to meet priority workforce and skills needs. Both IBEC and ICTU are invited to nominate members and these include unions which represent apprentices. The inaugural meeting of the subgroup took place in July 2024. It has met three times.

Since my appointment as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in January of this year, the subgroup has met once on the 14th of July. This was a useful meeting where all parties shared their views on developments in apprenticeships and on the future of the system. I am grateful to all parties for their continued engagement with this important forum.

My officials engage with social partners on issues that arise as a matter of course. The full involvement, co-operation and support of social partners with and for the apprenticeship system is vital to its continued success.