Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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401. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when his department WILL publish a renewed strategy to replace the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56316/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The current Action Plan was launched in 2021 with key goals for apprenticeship around growth, improving the profile of apprenticeship, improving access and supports for apprentices and employers, along with increasing the footprint of apprenticeship in the public service.

We have seen strong progress across these headings. Since 2019, the last pre-pandemic year, the total apprentice population has grown from 17,829 to 29,772 as of the end of 2024. This has been matched by an increase in investment from €142m in 2019 to the over €400m earmarked for apprenticeship in 2026.

There has been growth both in terms of new programmes and expansion of existing ones.

Earlier this year for example, I was pleased to welcome the first intake of apprentices on the new Digital Marketing Apprenticeship. All twelve of this intake are employed by government departments both equipping our communications teams for the fast-changing digital world and helping us reach the targets set out in the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan.

In the long-standing aircraft mechanic apprenticeship, and following engagement with industry, I was pleased to announce a major investment in training provision which almost doubled the number of places available from 79 in 2024 to 155 from this September.

I am committed to developing a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship to cover the period 2026-2030. The proposed Action Plan will seek to update current apprenticeship policy to reflect present and anticipated challenges posed within Ireland’s apprenticeship environment.

The development of the Action Plan, which is a Programme for Government commitment, will recognise priority government strategies such as the National Development Plan, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan.

I will be launching a public consultation shortly to seek the views of all stakeholders on how the system can be improved, made more inclusive, and better aligned with national skills needs.