Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
1085. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if her Department intend to include a review of the existing culinary apprenticeship scheme in the review of the apprenticeship programme in 2026; the steps her Department is taking to increase participation in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69459/25]
View answerIt is the role of my department to ensure that there are sufficient, accessible pathways for learners in the further and higher education system. In relation to culinary programmes, learners can progress through an apprenticeship, FET programmes at Levels 5 and 6, and Culinary Arts degrees at NFQ Levels 7 and 8 in Technological Universities.
At the end of November 2025, there were 190 Commis Chef apprentices, 17 Chef de Partie apprentices, and 3 Sous Chef apprentices in training. These are all consortia-led apprenticeships which were introduced after 2016. To support employers, an annual grant of €2,000 per apprentice was introduced for post-2016 consortia-led programmes.
As is the case with all consortia led apprenticeship programmes, a consortium which is chaired by industry meets regularly to review the programme's content and structure and ensure alignment with industry needs. For example, the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship recently revised its training structure to meet Local Government requirements.
The Government will publish a new national apprenticeship strategy in 2026, and appropriate incentives for learners and employers will be considered. A public consultation on the new Plan is planned to launch shortly.
