Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has conducted an independent review of SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office’s performance in delivering construction apprenticeships; and if so, to provide a copy of the review [58219/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the performance metrics used to assess the success of SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office in delivering construction apprenticeships; and to provide the most recent performance data available [58220/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2103 and 2104 together.

A key goal set out in the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021-2025 is to achieve a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations annually. In order to help achieve this key measure of the success of the Action Plan, government has, since 2020, more than doubled investment in apprenticeship delivery. With the new investment of €79 million I secured in Budget 2026 the total funding for apprenticeship delivery is now over €410 million.

Government investment has delivered measurable results: annual apprenticeship registrations have grown strongly in recent years from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024.

Building on this progress, 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, with two-thirds in craft and construction-related areas.

SOLAS is the State agency responsible for the further education and training (FET) sector. A key part of its remit is to allocate funding to ETBs to deliver FET programmes, including apprenticeships. My Department has not conducted an independent review of SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office's delivery of construction apprenticeships. Both the Public Sector Performance Report 2024 and the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2025 publications contain specific apprenticeship performance indicators and metrics.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has received complaints from industry stakeholders on the responsiveness or effectiveness of SOLAS and the NAO in addressing construction sector needs; and to clarify the recourse available to those raising concerns. [58221/25]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department works with sectoral partners such as SOLAS to increase skills supply through the current network of skills provision.

In relation to the apprenticeship system, SOLAS has responsibility for craft apprenticeships under the Industrial Training Act 1967 and the Further Education and Training Act 2013. Oversight is provided by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO), a joint body established by SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Government to manage, oversee and develop all aspects of the apprenticeship system.

Industry stakeholder insight is critical to the continued success of apprenticeship. The NAO acts as a single point of contact for employers, apprentices and providers in accessing information and guidance on apprenticeship.

In addition, industry stakeholders are represented on the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee, apprenticeship consortia and the National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA).

The NAA was established in 2022 and is composed of stakeholders from the social partners (including industry), the key agencies and Departments, education providers, and apprentice representatives. The NAA, among other functions, provides advice and guidance to the NAO on the development of the apprenticeship system and implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. Industry partners therefore have an ongoing input into the system.

My Department is not aware of any complaints received from industry stakeholders regarding the responsiveness or effectiveness of SOLAS and the NAO in addressing construction sector needs.

My Department is 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.

The Department 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 further aligned with national skills needs.

It is important to reflect on the success to date. Programme offerings and registration numbers are growing steadily, backed by record investment. Through Budget 2026 my Department has secured an additional €79 million investment in apprenticeships, the highest investment in core apprenticeship funding since the Department’s formation. Since 2020, we have more than doubled this investment– increasing funding by 123% - bringing the total annual apprenticeship current budget to over €410 million.

I would also like to draw your attention to the positive results to date in encouraging more young people to take up apprenticeships. Annual registrations in craft apprenticeships have risen by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 to 7,113 in 2024. Over the same period, the total number of apprentices in construction and related fields has grown by 45%, from 17,183 to 24,974. There are now 31 construction or construction-related apprenticeship programmes, approximately 40% of all apprenticeships.

This underpins the value of this training route at a time of near-full employment and high demand for construction skills.

Recognising the importance of incentivising employers to partake in apprenticeships, an employer grant of €2,000 per year was introduced for consortia-led apprenticeships. A gender-based bursary of €2,666 is also available to employers who hire apprentices in national apprenticeship programmes where there is greater than 80% representation of a single gender.

My Department works with SOLAS on other construction skills needs outside of the apprenticeship model. For example, we are collaborating to upskill Ireland’s construction workforce in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), a key pillar of the Government’s approach to increasing innovation and housing productivity.

It is widely acknowledged that in order to meet Ireland’s ambitious targets for housing, climate action, and infrastructure delivery, the construction sector must adopt new technologies and processes, including off-site construction, digital tools, and innovative materials.

My Department has published a comprehensive, cross-sector Action Plan to support the transition to MMC across the construction supply chain. This MMC Action Plan was developed in consultation with key stakeholders including construction employers, the NAO and SOLAS. Through the Action Plan, SOLAS is funding a range of MMC training pathways, including an MMC Traineeship.

SOLAS is also heavily involved in the development of the National Demonstration Park for MMC, a key deliverable in Housing for All. The Park is being developed at the National Construction Training Campus under Laois Offaly ETB and will provide an accessible flagship location for MMC demonstration and specialist training.

SOLAS published Green Skills 2030 in 2024. This is the first national FET strategy for the green economy and provides a strategic framework for the FET sector to respond to skills requirements emerging from a wide range of climate policies and identifies how the sector can directly meet the resulting skills needs. It demonstrates the leadership being shown by SOLAS and the FET sector in this area.

Other green construction initiatives led by SOLAS include a suite of ETB-delivered FET micro-qualifications, which include a focus on upskilling and reskilling in sustainability awareness, resource efficiency, circular economy, sustainable lean practices, sustainable supply chain management and eco-driving.

Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and retrofit training, essential for achieving Government targets of 500,000 domestic retrofits by 2030, is delivered through SOLAS’ Centre of Excellence network. There have been over 17,600 enrolments since the first centre opened in 2020. The centres offer free and flexible short, targeted courses.

Finally, SOLAS also manage the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) which provide for the training, assessment, certification and registration of non-craft operatives, providing the knowledge and skills needed for varied occupations within the construction sector. 26,644 CSCS cards were issued in 2024 alone.

All of these measures are designed to support industry partners and their employees as they meet the requirements for construction and green skills. The measures are informed by engagement with industry partners, in recognition of their needs.

I trust that the above information assures the Deputy about the comprehensive and collaborative approach taken by SOLAS and the NAO.

I remain committed to ensuring that the education and training system is robust, responsive, and ready to meet the evolving skills needs of Ireland’s economy.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has evaluated the effectiveness of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 in increasing construction apprenticeship numbers; and to provide the findings of any such evaluation. [58222/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the lessons his Department has learned from the shortcomings of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 in relation to construction workforce development; and the changes which will be made in the 2026-2030 strategy to address these gaps. [58224/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2106 and 2108 together.

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 €410m earmarked for apprenticeship in 2026.

There has been growth both in terms of new programmes and expansion of existing ones. Supported by significant Government investment, annual apprenticeship registrations have grown strongly in recent years from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024, a 51% increase.

The number of craft and consortia apprenticeship registrations in the last three years are set out below:

The significant increase in investment in the system has enabled the recruitment of over 110 new apprentice instructor staff, and the conversion of over 80 instructors from fixed term to permanent contracts to support retention. These measures and others have led to a 43% increase in craft training places in Education and Training Boards, rising from 5,600 at the end of 2023 to some 8,000 in 2025.

My Department continues to work with training providers, employers and learners to ensure that supports are in place to meet the growing demand for construction skills. This includes the continued development of new courses and qualifications, as well as ensuring access through flexible and inclusive delivery models.

The Programme for Government commits to achieving 12,500 apprenticeship registrations per year by 2030 with two-thirds in craft/construction.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the specific targets set under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 for construction-related apprenticeships; and if these targets have been met, exceeded, or fallen short. [58223/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government remains strongly committed to apprenticeships, and has significantly expanded opportunities for learners in recent years. This reflects a recognition of their critical role in equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to meet national priorities - particularly in infrastructure delivery.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets a headline target of 10,000 annual apprentice registrations by 2025. While no specific targets were established for construction-related apprenticeships, their importance has led to a clear prioritisation of growth and development in this area.

Funding for apprenticeship delivery has increased substantially. With the addition of €79m in funding, I secured in Budget 2026, it has risen from €184 million in 2020 to over €410 million in 2026 - an increase of more than 120%. This investment is delivering strong results.

Annual overall apprenticeship registrations have grown from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024 - a 51% increase that provides a strong foundation for achieving the 2025 target of 10,000 annual registrations.

Construction and construction-related apprenticeships, in particular, have responded strongly to this investment. The apprentice population in this area has grown from 14,567 in 2020 to 21,970 by the end of September this year - a 51% increase. Annual registrations have also increased, rising by 66% between 2020 and 2024, from 3,813 to 6,319.

I am committed to developing a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship to cover the period 2026-2030. 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. The Government is committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities further, with a target of 12,500 annual registrations by 2030, two-thirds of which will be in craft and construction-related areas.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

2109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has conducted a gap analysis comparing current apprenticeship output with the labour demand required to meet the Government’s commitment to deliver 60,000 homes annually; and to provide a copy of that analysis. [58225/25]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A number of Government strategies have highlighted the major demands on Ireland’s construction workforce across Government priorities in housing, climate action, and other vital infrastructure.

The ESRI, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council have all questioned the capacity of the sector to respond to demands.

Recent data confirms significant pressure on the construction skills pipeline. SOLAS’ National Skills Bulletin 2025 identified skills shortages across technical, trade, and professional roles, including civil engineers, construction project managers, quantity surveyors and carpenters.

In response, DFHERIS has commissioned a report analysing construction supply and demand, including, but not confined to, apprenticeship, and to develop a national framework for meeting priority construction workforce needs. The report will be finalised in Q4 2025.

In conjunction, my Department is 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 anticipate 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.

The Department 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.