Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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957. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65305/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, strong government investment has driven significant growth in the apprenticeship system. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations increased by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 - the year my department was established - to 7,113 in 2024. Consortia-led registrations also rose from 949 to 2,239 during the same period. To ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled apprentices to support government targets on housing and infrastructure development, an additional €79 million has been invested in the apprenticeship system in Budget 2026, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to over €410 million - more than double what it was in 2020.

Craft apprenticeships consist of both on-the-job and off-the-job training phases. Each on-the-job phase has a minimum required duration before an apprentice becomes eligible for scheduling into the next off-the-job training phase. In certain cases, the actual duration may exceed this minimum period due to factors such as apprentice numbers and available capacity.

Apprentices typically spend a mandatory minimum of six months (circa 26 weeks) undergoing on-the-job training at Phase 5. Regarding the Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship, SOLAS has advised officials in my department that as of November 2025, the median duration that an apprentice spends at Phase 5 is circa 40 weeks, including the mandatory 26 weeks training.

The apprenticeship system operates on a continuous intake basis, allowing apprentices to register throughout the year. Those apprentices in Higher Education, typically during Phases 4 and 6, generally attend off-the-job training at institutions that follow the academic calendar. A steady pipeline of apprentices ready for training ensures that workshops and classes remain fully utilised. Such an approach supports the efficient and effective use of resources.

I am assured by SOLAS that apprentices who are awaiting their next phase of training are being processed in an equitable manner and as efficiently as is possible.

All apprentices are advised at their mandatory apprenticeship induction briefings of the apprenticeship scheduling process and are also assigned a Training Advisor as their point of contact. For any apprentice seeking further information or advice regarding their individual circumstances, I would encourage them to speak to their Training Advisor, who is best suited to advise them on their specific situation.