Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to introduce apprenticeships into further business sectors similar to the existing apprenticeship in insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55611/25]

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 to 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 the over €400m earmarked for apprenticeship in 2026.

Since 2016, indeed starting with the insurance practitioner apprenticeship mentioned by the deputy, the model has been made available in an increasingly diverse range of sectors, including business in which there are now nine offerings.

These are in finance, where there are four programmes, including the recently launched level 8 accounting technologist apprenticeship. In sales where there are two, and in property services, recruitment, and insurance, where there is one each.

Registrations in these apprenticeships have grown from 632 in 2021 to 748 in 2024, an 18% increase.

The Government is committed to supporting the apprenticeship model within the civil service to support skill development and recruitment. In line with this commitment a civil and public service Business and Operations apprenticeship at level 6 is currently in development and expected to launch in 2026. This programme will promote an alternative and inclusive pathway to employment in the civil and public sector.

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

Apprenticeship is a key pillar of the government’s skills strategy and delivers highly skilled workers directly to business. I am committed to growing this skills pathway in the coming years and look forward to setting out my vision for this in the next Action Plan for Apprenticeship which is currently under development.