Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
903. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of additional craft and non-craft apprenticeship places funded in Budget 2026, for the year 2026; and the allocation for those additional places in Budget 2026. [56938/25]
View answerThe apprenticeship system takes a demand-led, employer-driven approach to meeting workforce and skill requirements in our economy. As such, the demand for and number of apprentices is significantly influenced by employers in any given sector. The Government remains firmly committed to apprenticeships and has significantly expanded opportunities for learners in recent years, recognising their vital role in equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills needed to meet national priorities, including infrastructure delivery.
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. The additional €79 million investment in apprenticeship delivery secured in Budget 2026 will directly support the continued growth of the apprenticeship system to support this demand.
Building on this progress, 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 in Budget 2026 bringing the total funding for apprenticeship to over €400 million, a strong foundation has been laid to achieve the 12,500 target and support national infrastructure projects.
SOLAS is the State Agency responsible for the provision of further education and training (FET) programmes including apprenticeships. SOLAS allocates funding to Education and Training Boards and partners to deliver FET programmes at a local level, based on agreed targets linked to local and industry needs. It is the responsibility of each ETB to plan and deliver its services throughout the year, taking into account their allocated budgets and the specific needs of their local communities in line with its functions set out in the Education and Training Board Act of 2013.
