Written Answers Nos. 96-115
111. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will expand the number of third level places related to therapies in the disability sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/25]
View answerAddressing shortages in critical health and social care professions, particularly in the disability sector, is a top priority for the government.
In April 2025, in response to a request from the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disability, I requested my officials to established an interdepartmental working group to address additional places and associated placements for the expansion of disability therapy graduates. This group is chaired by my Department and includes senior representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, the Higher Education Authority, and the Department of Education and Youth.
On my behalf the HEA conducted an Expression of Interest process to identify opportunities to expand numbers across existing courses in nine key health and social care professions, which could commence immediately from September 2025. The process ran in April and received 24 submissions across all nine areas.
Following a review of the results, I joined with my Ministerial colleagues to seek Government approval for this expansion. We secured approval for up to 320 new student places annually in 2025, with a further 141 in subsequent year, with supports to expand clinical placements for these additional students. These places are in professions vital to disability and health services, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and dietetics. The HEA has formally communicated to the providers to activate this expansion.
It has to be recognised that this was a first immediate step to activate places in these key professions. Meeting our collective government commitments in disability and education will require further significant growth and delivery of new courses and clinical supports for therapies. Work on the next phase is already underway. My officials are engaging closely with the HEA, the Higher Education sector and across government. We are also exploring new pathways, including postgraduate programmes, tertiary education models, and apprenticeships, to grow a sustainable pipeline of healthcare and therapy professionals. We welcome the continued support of government, our agencies, providers and regulatory bodies in supporting this ambitious expansion plan.
I remain committed to working across Government to meet workforce needs and ensure the sustainable growth of these essential programmes. I look forward to providing a further update to my cabinet colleagues on this continued expansion.
113. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to reach the target of 750 apprenticeships in the public service and Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37601/25]
View answerThe Public Service Apprenticeship Plan, jointly published by my Department and the then Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Deliver, and Reform, is a key commitment under my Department’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025. It sets a clear roadmap to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the public service, targeting 750 annual registrations by 2025.
Public service sectoral representatives have submitted workplans to increase their apprentice registrations. While there is strong engagement and support for apprenticeships, challenges remain— including with respect to the understanding of apprenticeship in some quarters and persistent perceptions that apprenticeships are less valuable than university degrees.
In June, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and I updated Government on the Plan’s implementation.
Progress has been made and we are starting to see momentum build. Annual registrations rose from 67 in 2022 to 165 in 2024. Sectors are forecasting 554 registrations in 2025—an almost 240% increase from 2024. While short of the target, this growth reflects the Plan’s impact and the public service’s commitment to embedding apprenticeships.
Importantly, new programmes launched include a Level 8 Social Work and a Level 6 Digital Marketing apprenticeship which provide exciting avenues to increase public sector apprentice numbers.
To support this work, my Department and DPER have launched a range of employer engagement initiatives and published a Practical Guide to Employing Apprentices in the Public Service.
A strong foundation is now in place. Achieving the Government’s ambition will require continued leadership and commitment across all public service bodies. With over 400,000 employees, the public service has a unique opportunity to mainstream apprenticeships as part of workforce strategy and advance diversity and inclusion through apprentice recruitment.
115. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the work being undertaken by his Department to increase the number of craft apprenticeships nationally, given their importance in meeting national construction and housing retrofit targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37371/25]
View answerThis Government is strongly committed to apprenticeships and has significantly expanded opportunities for students in recent years. This growth is essential to equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to meet national priorities in housing, retrofitting, and infrastructure delivery.
My Department collaborates with key sectoral partners—including SOLAS, the National Construction Training Centre, Skillnet Ireland, and the Education and Training Boards—to boost the supply of construction skills through the existing tertiary education network.
Since the Department’s establishment, investment in apprenticeship training has grown substantially. In Budget 2025, an additional €77 million was allocated, bringing the total apprenticeship budget to €339 million—a 84% increase from €184 million in 2020.
As of today, there are 77 national apprenticeship programmes available in Ireland—25 craft apprenticeships and 52 consortia-led programmes. These span a wide range of industries, including construction-related fields such as Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing, and Civil Engineering. This marks a 33% increase in programme offerings since 2020, with further expansion currently underway.
Investment in craft apprenticeships has been particularly impactful for the construction sector and national housing targets. Annual registrations in craft apprenticeships have risen by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 to 7,113 in 2024. Over the same period, the total number of apprentices in construction and related fields has grown by 45%, from 17,183 to 24,974.
To further support this momentum, my Department launched the Careers in Construction Action Plan in August 2023. This initiative promotes careers in construction, with a particular focus on encouraging participation among girls and women through peer-to-peer campaigns.
This Government remains committed to ensuring that the apprenticeship system is robust, responsive, and ready to meet the evolving skills needs of Ireland’s economy.
