Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
955. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the additional funding of €67 million in Budget 2024 and €77 million in Budget 2025, where this additional funding was spent; the level of funding that has been drawn down in the current year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32111/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional funding allocated to Apprenticeship in Budget 2024 (€67m) and Budget 2025 (€77.4m) is allocated by way of grant funding via the National Training Fund to SOLAS and the HEA who fund apprenticeship programmes in education institutions. Following Budget 2025, current funding investment by my Department in apprenticeships is €339m. Some €170.1m (50%) of the funding has been allocated to 31 May 2025.
Apprenticeships are demand led and this investment has been vital for the increase of yearly apprentice registrations from 6,177 in 2019 to over 9,300 in 2024, making significant progress towards the Government target of 12,500 registrations per year by 2030. This increased capacity supports skills development in 77 occupations across the private and public sectors, including particularly the construction sector, supporting delivery of Government commitments on Housing for All, and the Climate Action Plan.
