Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to encourage more uptake in apprenticeships in skills necessary for the green transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55311/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is driving forward the development of apprenticeships, with a particular focus on the construction sector. Through the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 and its successor, the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026–2030, currently in development, we are shaping a strategic vision for the future of apprenticeship in Ireland. This is complemented by the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which sets out 20 targeted actions to promote inclusive, attractive, and sustainable careers, especially for women, young people, and under-represented groups.

To foster early engagement, the Initial Vocational Education and Training (iVET) module is now available to all Transition Year students. Developed by the NCCA, ETBI, and SOLAS, iVET offers hands-on exposure to vocational pathways through FET taster courses, career talks, and workshops. An example is Adamstown Community College, which gave Transition Year students a taster course in plumbing, complete with a dedicated training room. Students earned a manual handling certification and progressed to plumbing theory and practice, installing working toilets, radiators, and basins. The programme was supported by Chadwicks (materials) and CJK (CV workshops, interviews, and work experience), and has since expanded to two additional Dublin schools.

My Department provides funding for WorldSkills Ireland, an event where over 30,000 students from more than 300 secondary schools across the country celebrated the talent and ambition of Ireland’s apprentices. The event highlighted the critical role of skills in building a future-ready workforce.

My Department remains committed to positioning apprenticeships, including in construction, as a valued and viable option for secondary school students.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans his Department currently has in place to promote apprenticeships, particularly in the construction sector, to school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55566/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is driving forward the development of apprenticeships, with a particular focus on the construction sector. Through the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 and its successor, the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026–2030, currently in development, we are shaping a strategic vision for the future of apprenticeship in Ireland. This is complemented by the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which sets out 20 targeted actions to promote inclusive, attractive, and sustainable careers, especially for women, young people, and under-represented groups.

To foster early engagement, the Initial Vocational Education and Training (iVET) module is now available to all Transition Year students. Developed by the NCCA, ETBI, and SOLAS, iVET offers hands-on exposure to vocational pathways through FET taster courses, career talks, and workshops. An example is Adamstown Community College, which gave Transition Year students a taster course in plumbing, complete with a dedicated training room. Students earned a manual handling certification and progressed to plumbing theory and practice, installing working toilets, radiators, and basins. The programme was supported by Chadwicks (materials) and CJK (CV workshops, interviews, and work experience), and has since expanded to two additional Dublin schools.

My Department provides funding for WorldSkills Ireland, an event where over 30,000 students from more than 300 secondary schools across the country celebrated the talent and ambition of Ireland’s apprentices. The event highlighted the critical role of skills in building a future-ready workforce.

My Department remains committed to positioning apprenticeships, including in construction, as a valued and viable option for secondary school students.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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45. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions that have been taken by him since 2024 to protect apprenticeships in Ireland due to the over-reliance on employer stability leaving the system vulnerable to fluctuations in the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56054/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is my priority that apprenticeship will be recognised and valued by employers across all sectors of the economy as a key mechanism for building a highly skilled workforce, contributing to productivity and sustainable growth. As part of this, plans are also in place to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the public and civil services. Currently, there are over 530 apprentices in the public and civil service.

To support this work, my Department and DPER have launched a range of employer engagement initiatives and published a Practical Guide to Employing Apprentices in the Public Service. With over 400,000 employees, the public service has a unique opportunity to mainstream apprenticeships as part of workforce strategy.

In a National Survey of Apprentices published last month, 87% reported that they are enjoying their apprenticeship experience and 84% have developed confidence in their ability to learn; 85% are glad they chose the apprenticeship route and feel part of their organisation, and 94% of apprentices believe their apprenticeship will provide good employment opportunities.

This positive experience is reflected in the relatively low non-progression rates. Between 90 and 92% of first year of apprentices progress to their second year, figures that compare positively to other tertiary education options.

The Government is committed to maximising the number of people who start and finish apprenticeships, and a training allowance is available for craft apprentices during off-the-job training phases.

In Budget 2026, €79 million has been invested in the apprenticeship system, bringing overall funding to over €400 million. Investment in apprenticeship delivery has more than doubled since 2020.