Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to increase the accessibility of apprenticeships to the Traveller community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22087/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is a priority for me that apprenticeship programmes are accessible to everyone in our society, and especially to groups that have been historically underrepresented, including the Travelling community.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025 aimed to ensure that the apprenticeship population better reflects the diversity of the general population.

An important measure in advancing this goal is the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP), launched in April 2023 and delivered by the Irish Traveller Movement. Funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, this programme provides financial and practical support to help members of the Travelling community begin and complete an apprenticeship.

The programme offers a €3,000 bursary for learners across three streams: new apprentices, existing apprentices, and those taking part in pre-apprenticeship courses. To support recruitment, employers can also access a €2,000 grant when they take on a Traveller apprentice. In 2025, the programme supported 83 individuals, including 12 women.

In addition, a Traveller pre-apprenticeship programme was launched by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board in July 2024, in partnership with the Offaly Traveller Movement. As of February 2026, eight learners were enrolled. Pre-apprenticeship courses help widen access by providing core skills and early exposure to vocational learning, supporting learners to progress into full apprenticeships.

Looking ahead, a new Action Plan for 2026–2030 is being developed and will be published later this year. A core objective of this Plan will be to further strengthen access to apprenticeships, including for the Traveller community and other underrepresented groups.