Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who will attend ATU Mayo from phase one to six under the Electrical Apprenticeship Programme for 2025-2026, by number of students for each phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60018/25]

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the capacity of the college phases for the newly introduced Electrical Apprenticeship Programme at ATU Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60019/25]

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to increase the intake of students for Electrical Apprenticeship Programme in the next three years at ATU Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60020/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2155 to 2157, inclusive, together.

The Electrical apprenticeship, as with all craft apprenticeships, has seven phases. Three of these phases, 2, 4 and 6 are off-the-job training. Phase 2 training is provided in an Educational Training Board (ETB) while phases 4 and 6 are provided in a Higher Education Institution. Both phases 4 and 6 are of a 10 to 11 week duration.

ATU Mayo enrolled its first cohort of Electrical phase 4 apprentices in September 2025. ATU Mayo plans to increase its Electrical apprentice numbers according to the following three-year forecast.

As indicated in the tables above, the number of Phase 4 or Phase 6 blocks assigned to ATU Mayo will be based on the national delivery requirements in that year. By the end of the academic year 2025-26, ATU Mayo will have a capacity to deliver Electrical apprentice training to 64 students per term. This training can be at either Phase 4 or Phase 6, or a combination of Phases 4 and 6.

Ireland’s apprenticeship system is demand-led and employer-driven, responding to workforce and skills needs across sectors. The Government remains firmly committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities, recognising their critical role in equipping the workforce to meet national priorities. This commitment is clearly evidenced by the additional €79 million investment for apprenticeship delivery I secured in Budget 2026. This brings total funding to over €410 million. This investment lays a strong foundation to achieve the target of 12,500 annual apprentice registrations by 2030 and supports national infrastructure priorities.