Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the work of his Department in establishing new apprenticeships. [29115/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s commitment to expanding apprenticeship is underpinned by substantial financial investment and clear growth targets. €79 million secured in Budget 2026 for apprenticeship delivery has brought the total funding for apprenticeship to over €410 million, more than double the level in 2020. This increased investment helps support the Government’s target of reaching 12,500 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2030, with at least two-thirds in traditional craft and construction sectors and the remainder in new and emerging fields.

A key focus in recent years has been the development of apprenticeships in new occupations. Alongside 25 traditional craft and construction apprenticeships there is now a choice of 56 consortia led apprenticeship across a broad range of new and emerging sectors, including ICT and Social Work. To date in 2026, three new apprenticeships have been launched in Software Testing, Road Surfacing Technology, and Business and Operations. Further programmes, including Paramedicine and Social Care, are scheduled to launch later this year.

All new apprenticeships since 2016 are managed by industry led-consortia. The 2026-2030 Apprenticeship Action Plan will be launched this year, and provides a valuable opportunity to refine and strengthen the consortia-led model. State agencies are reviewing the consortia-led model to support alignment with national skills needs, complement existing education routes, streamline processes and deliver value for money.