Written Answers Nos. 74-92
74. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of people currently employed to provide training to apprentices, by apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55738/25]
View answerIn recent years, supported by strong government investment, the apprenticeship system has grown significantly. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations have risen 63% from 4,377 in 2020, the year in which my department was formed, to 7,113 in 2024. In the same period Consortia-led registrations have grown from 949 to 2,239.
This investment has also supported a 34% growth in the number of apprenticeship programmes available from 58 to 78. There are now 25 craft apprenticeship programmes and 53 consortia-led programmes designed to serve industry needs across multiple sectors such as construction, ICT, hospitality, health, and social care - supporting Ireland both economically and socially. Work is ongoing to expand apprenticeship options further, with new programmes in development.
Next year we will launch the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, setting a target to increase annual apprentice registrations from 9,352 in 2024 to 12,500 by 2030. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are scheduled to commence shortly. With the significant investment I secured in Budget 2026 bringing the total funding for apprenticeship to over €400 million, a strong foundation has been laid from which to further expand the apprenticeship system, including through additional recruitment to support the delivery of training and achieve the 12,500 target by 2030.
The information requested is not readily available and will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as possible.
75. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has examined the option of widening the apprenticeship routes to include routes into engineering; if his Department will provide greater information and training to guidance counsellors on engineering careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55833/25]
View answerI am committed to the apprenticeship model of learning. It is a proven pathway to a valued qualification and employment. Since 2019 the total apprentice population has grown from 17,829 to 29,772 as of the end of last year. This has been matched by an increase in investment from €142m in 2019 to over the €400m earmarked for apprenticeship in 2026.
Currently there are 19 apprenticeships classed as engineering. These range from level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications up to level 10 and span both craft and consortia-led apprenticeship delivery mechanisms. Traditional trades such as metal fabrication and pipefitting are available alongside newer offerings such as civil engineering level 6 & 7 and advanced manufacturing engineering level 8.
In 2021 there were 859 registrations across the then 15 available engineering apprenticeships compared to 1,007 in 2024 across the now 19 available apprenticeships, an increase of 17%.
There remains considerable interest in developing new engineering apprenticeships which demonstrates the continuing relevance of apprenticeship in addressing skills needs in this rapidly evolving sector.
There is no doubt that an apprenticeship in engineering is a valuable and respected qualification, four engineering apprenticeships are at level 8 or higher, including the only doctoral level apprenticeship, principal engineer.
For the past two years, the National Apprenticeship Office has held a workshop at the Institute for Guidance Councillors annual conference to promote apprenticeship (including engineering apprenticeships) as a pathway for learners. The theme of this workshop has been 'Meeting Future Skills Needs through apprenticeships and further education and training.' Building on feedback from the first of these workshops, the NAO published a directory of apprentice employers. This is updated on a monthly basis and is designed to aid prospective apprentices to identify an apprentice employer.
Each year, the National Apprenticeship Office promotes apprenticeship (including engineering apprenticeships) to the guidance councillors and their students attending Higher Options and WorldSkills Ireland Live.
Facts Faces Futures is a national campaign that engages with guidance councillors that is designed to promote women in apprenticeships included a targeted drive to increase the number of women in craft apprenticeships including engineering apprenticeships.
Consortia-led Apprenticeship Programme teams from engineering-related apprenticeships regularly speak or provide information to schools and centres on engineering apprenticeships.
I look forward to examining how engineering and other apprenticeships can be promoted in the development of the next Action Plan for Apprenticeship.
76. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who were awarded SUSI grants in the current academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55461/25]
View answerThe main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student grants are available for students looking to study at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
A Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses which commenced in September 2024 provides fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This includes specified in person and blended/hybrid courses and its aim is to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine.
I can confirm that as of 10th October 2025, 79,401 students have been awarded student grants for the 2025/26 academic year.
Please note that this figure may change as processing is ongoing for the 2025/26 academic year.
78. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be provided in Budget 2026 under the Tidy Town grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56044/25]
View answerThe Supervalu TidyTowns competition is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland.
I am keenly aware, and have seen first hand, the wonderful work undertaken by our Tidy Towns groups. I am also aware that costs can arise in the course of this work. With this in mind, direct financial supports have been put in place by my department for Tidy Towns groups.
Since 2017, the department has allocated over €11 million in grant funding to almost 1,000 eligible Tidy Towns groups nationwide.
The most recent grant funding of €1.5 million was announced in November 2024 for the 2025 calendar year. This funding, of between €1,000 and €4,000 per Tidy Town Group, was provided to assist communities in preparing for the 2025 SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition. This work reaps the added benefits of helping to make our towns and villages better places to live, work and visit.
The Government has provided €1.75 million in Budget 2026 for the Tidy Towns initiative. In conjunction with the 2025 SuperValu TidyTowns National Awards ceremony which will take place in Croke Park on Friday October 24th, the Department is currently preparing the parameters for the 2026 competition. I look forward to announcing the winners of the 2025 competition and meeting some of our Tidy Towns volunteers from around the country on the day as well as providing any details in relation to the 2026 competition at the event.
83. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on plans to expand the provision of free-to-use wireless internet connectivity in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56046/25]
View answerA key focus of Our Rural Future - the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021 to 2025 - is to optimise digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities, ensuring equality of access to digital services.
While the Deputy will be aware that Wi-Fi is now widely available in many settings, the Government has implemented a range of programmes to increase broadband availability for rural communities across Ireland. The National Broadband Plan will provide high speed internet access to over 564,000 premises nationwide with over 420,000 premises expected to be passed by the end of this year. My Department has established a national network of 300 publicly accessible broadband connection points under the National Broadband Plan including 11 on off-shore islands. These provide free high-speed Wi-Fi at community halls, sports clubs, tourist locations and other public spaces
The European Commission's WiFi4EU initiative provided local authorities with vouchers of €15,000 for equipment and installation costs for Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas. My Department provided additional funding of over €1.25 million to increase the number of hotspots under this initiative, which ran over a period of 3 years.
Furthermore, the public library strategy ‘The Library is the Place’ commits to developing a network of Gigabit Libraries. My Department's funding for libraries supports free Wi-Fi for users along with free use of devices, including laptops and tablets and PC, for use in the branch.
I will continue to support the availability of Wi-Fi in rural areas under the Broadband Connection Points initiative and in our public libraries. There is no doubt that continued support for increased digital connectivity will deliver real benefits in rural communities across the country.
88. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable investment in towns such as Ballinasloe that experience multiple forms of disadvantage despite strong community capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56024/25]
View answerMy Department's range of capital and current programmes seek to address disadvantage in a number of ways, and empower communities in urban and rural areas.
My Department's SICAP programme is our country’s primary social inclusion programme. From January 2024 to date, 28 community organisations and 189 individuals have been supported in the Ballinasloe Local Electoral Area. These supports are typically in the form of building capacity and supporting local community groups, social enterprises and networks, and supporting individuals through lifelong learning and education, employability and labour market supports and soft skills and wellbeing.
The Empowering Communities Programme supports areas, including Ballinasloe, which are experiencing significant disadvantage. This targeted programme aims to enhance community access to key services and empower local communities to develop initiatives to counter area-based deprivation, social exclusion and the resulting consequences.
My Department has also approved significant capital investment in Ballinasloe.
Over €480,000 was allocated towards four projects in Ballinasloe town under Community Centre Investment Fund since 2022.
• €100,000 has also been allocated to projects to upgrade playgrounds in Ballinasloe town under the Community Recognition Fund.
• Also under the Community Recognition Fund, €100,000 has been allocated to develop the Ballinasloe Family and Community Resource Centre.
• Around €366,000 in grant aid to local community groups and businesses has been allocated under the 2014-2022 LEADER programme. This funding has supported the Ballinasloe Christmas Illuminations Project, the creation of Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub, and the refurbishment of Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre.
• There are 3 hubs within Ballinasloe that are part of the Connected Hubs network, and in 2021 €63,400 was allocated to develop facilities in these hubs in Ballinasloe.
The range of current and capital interventions by my Department are helping to address disadvantage in Ballinasloe and other areas. I am committed to ensuring the work of my Department continues to support such areas throughout the country.
92. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if new funding has been allocated to the development of additional public libraries as part of Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55407/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to reform and strengthen local government, to further support it in its responsibility for the delivery of many essential services including libraries. The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001.
Investing in our library network is a key priority for my Department and this is reflected in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 ‘The Library is the Place',which was launched in July 2023. The Strategy, which focuses on strengthening public libraries as multi-purpose social and educational spaces, is a five-year plan containing 66 actions to enhance library services.
The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is investing €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art library infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. While no new funding has been allocated to the development of additional public libraries as part of Budget 2026, my Department's annual capital budget for libraries increased this year to support the delivery of the projects approved under the Libraries Capital Programme up to 2027.
In May 2024, funding of circa €28m was announced under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) to support three regeneration projects that include new library facilities. A fourth call for Category 2 RRDF applications opened in October 2024. I am delighted to note that €663,100 in funding was announced last Friday for a project that includes the development of a plan for a new Library in Belmullet, Co. Mayo.
The My Open Library service is now available in 56 branches and the Programme for Government contains a commitment to triple this service and to enhance library sensory spaces for inclusive community use.
