Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider measures to improve the parity of esteem for FET level education; if it is possible to introduce higher levels of qualifications, for example level 7, in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64048/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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There are 78 national apprenticeship programmes, delivering qualifications from Level 5 to Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). These include: 25 craft apprenticeships, supporting key national priorities such as Housing for All and 53 consortia-led programmes, developed in partnership with industry to address evolving skills needs.

A total of 26 apprenticeship programmes are at Level 7 or higher: 10 at Level 7, 9 at Level 8, 6 at Level 9 and 1 at Level 10, underscoring the growing role of apprenticeships in providing advanced qualifications. This continued expansion reflects the increasing recognition of apprenticeships as a work-based pathway to professional training and development.

My Department along with SOLAS, has implemented a series of initiatives to raise the profile of apprenticeships and showcase their value across sectors:

• The National Apprentice of the Year Awards and the upcoming Apprentice Employer of the Year Awards recognise outstanding achievements by apprentices and employers, reinforcing the importance of quality and commitment in apprenticeship programmes.
• WorldSkills Ireland 2025, held in September, attracted over 30,000 secondary school students from more than 300 schools nationwide, inspiring the next generation to explore apprenticeship opportunities.
• Results from the National Survey of Apprentices, based on 5,500+ responses, were published in September, providing valuable insights into the apprentice experience.
• My department commissioned research to understand how apprenticeships are perceived by both apprentices and employers, ensuring future strategies are evidence-based.
• Informed by this research, a dedicated apprenticeship brand has been developed to promote opportunities on PublicJobs.ie and across all promotional materials, creating a unified and recognisable identity for apprenticeships.