Written Answers Nos. 372-380
373. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progression pathways in place for disabled people who have completed their apprentices and are ready for employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64045/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra374. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to ensure there is more awareness for employers about disability supports for disabled qualified apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64046/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to address the low uptake of disabled people doing apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64047/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 374 and 375 together.
Apprenticeships provide the opportunity for individuals to join the workforce as employees from day one of their chosen programme. Completing the programme provides a respected qualification and hands-on experience in their chosen field, creating a strong foundation for a rewarding career. It’s important to ensure these opportunities are accessible to everyone.
“Apprenticeship for All” is a core goal of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025. To advance this, the National Apprenticeship Alliance established an Access and Inclusion sub-committee in 2023. Its role is to advise on the effective implementation of access and inclusion actions and support the development of a more inclusive national apprenticeship system. Key progress in 2025 includes
The Access & Inclusion sub-committee of the National Apprenticeship Alliance meets four times each year. Progress in 2025 includes guidance for apprenticeship employers on being disability-inclusive in the workplace being finalised in Q3 2025.
In respect of supporting learners, for apprentice supports related to reading and writing, the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) aim to respond to learner needs through a range of initiatives for apprenticeships. This includes the provision of pre-apprenticeship schemes, assessment of literacy and language needs, and support for learning differences such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, as well as related matters. Literacy supports are provided to support apprentices with the academic requirements of their off-the-job training and are central to learner supports services.
To support the sharing of expertise and experience in tailored specific supports for apprentices across practitioners, a Community of Practice (Supports to Apprentices Group) has been developed. This group has informed the development of resources for craft apprenticeships that offer numeracy resources across multiple fields. In addition, ETB staff are provided with a comprehensive professional learning and development calendar, which offers training opportunities for staff to support learners with the literacy, numeracy and digital skills demands of their course.
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) also provides an extensive range of resources and training for prospective apprentices, including worksheets, videos and books in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.
In 2026, the National Apprenticeship Office will commence an equal access survey to establish a baseline of apprentices from underrepresented groups.
I am committed to developing a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship for 2026 -2030. As part of this process, I will seek the views of all stakeholders, including disability groups.
376. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider measures to improve the parity of esteem for FET level education; if it is possible to introduce higher levels of qualifications, for example level 7, in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64048/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 78 national apprenticeship programmes, delivering qualifications from Level 5 to Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). These include: 25 craft apprenticeships, supporting key national priorities such as Housing for All and 53 consortia-led programmes, developed in partnership with industry to address evolving skills needs.
A total of 26 apprenticeship programmes are at Level 7 or higher: 10 at Level 7, 9 at Level 8, 6 at Level 9 and 1 at Level 10, underscoring the growing role of apprenticeships in providing advanced qualifications. This continued expansion reflects the increasing recognition of apprenticeships as a work-based pathway to professional training and development.
My Department along with SOLAS, has implemented a series of initiatives to raise the profile of apprenticeships and showcase their value across sectors:
• The National Apprentice of the Year Awards and the upcoming Apprentice Employer of the Year Awards recognise outstanding achievements by apprentices and employers, reinforcing the importance of quality and commitment in apprenticeship programmes.
• WorldSkills Ireland 2025, held in September, attracted over 30,000 secondary school students from more than 300 schools nationwide, inspiring the next generation to explore apprenticeship opportunities.
• Results from the National Survey of Apprentices, based on 5,500+ responses, were published in September, providing valuable insights into the apprentice experience.
• My department commissioned research to understand how apprenticeships are perceived by both apprentices and employers, ensuring future strategies are evidence-based.
• Informed by this research, a dedicated apprenticeship brand has been developed to promote opportunities on PublicJobs.ie and across all promotional materials, creating a unified and recognisable identity for apprenticeships.
377. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount that was spent in each of the past five years, and in 2025 to date, in promoting Ireland as a destination for foreign students to study at either in third level or in English language schools in the State, broken down by the country in which the promotion took place, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64312/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a Government Decision in 2009, Enterprise Ireland has had lead responsibility, on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, for the marketing and promotion of the Education in Ireland brand overseas and the development, promotion and marketing of international higher education markets, in line with overall government strategies.
The level of funding provided by my Department to Enterprise Ireland to assist with carrying out their functions regarding the marketing and promotion of Ireland as a place to study for international students, is outlined in the table below;
|
Year |
Funding provided |
|
2020 |
€556,725 |
|
2021 |
€650,000 |
|
2022 |
€650,000 |
|
2023 |
€600,000 |
|
2024 |
€600,000 |
|
2025 |
€600,000 (Payment due in December) |
Ireland's higher education institutions, both the publicly funded and private sector providers, also pay a subscription towards Enterprise Ireland's costs and a number of English language education providers are also Enterprise Ireland clients. For this reason it is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure by country as requested by the Deputy.
It is important to distinguish between English language students, who typically come for short-term programmes and international higher education students who come to Ireland for full degrees and advanced study.
International higher education students make a significant contribution to Ireland’s higher education institutions, and to society generally, both financially and in terms of the cultural diversity they bring.
While higher education institutions in Ireland are responsible for setting their own fees, and these vary between institutions, non-EU students typically pay significantly more than their EU counterparts.
EU students qualify for the Free Fees Initiative and only pay for the Student Contribution Charge and the Student Levy, around €2,754 in total.
In contrast, undergraduate fees for Non-EU students are very significantly higher. These can range from €12,000 to over €55,000 per student per academic year, depending on the institution and academic discipline.
378. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64320/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, 14 apprenticeship programmes require candidates to pass the Ishihara colour vision test, a standard diagnostic test for colour vision deficiency (CVD), before starting training. This has been the case throughout the lifetime of the standards-based apprenticeship approach, which was introduced in the 1990s. There is currently no exemption from this requirement, as all apprenticeships are national programmes, delivered and administered to a common national standard.
The following are the affected crafts:- Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting, Aircraft Mechanic, Electrical, Electrical Instrumentation, Electronic Security Systems, Instrumentation, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Agricultural Mechanics, Motor Mechanics, Construction Plant Fitting, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, and Vehicle Body Repairs.
To examine this matter, SOLAS commissioned an independent report which has now been completed. This review involved consulting with relevant independent professionals on best practice, with the preferred outcome being that the apprenticeship programmes may become more accessible to all. A final report has been received by SOLAS and has been considered by its board. My officials are actively engaging with SOLAS on the matter and an update is expected soon.
379. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta cathain atá sé i gceist aige an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024 a chur ar aghaidh chuig Céim an Choiste; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [64117/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChríochnaigh an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024, Céim an Choiste sa Dáil in earrach na bliana seo. Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear tús le Céim na Tuarascála ina leith go luath..
380. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he can provide details of the regulations governing Gael Coláistí, specifically, the procedures for making a complaint in the situation where parents are unhappy about the treatment of their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64257/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I understand it, the Deputy's question relates to Coláistí Gaeilge, or Irish language colleges in the context of my department's Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge or the Irish Language Learners Scheme. This scheme exists in order to foster language acquisition and enrichment opportunities in the Gaeltacht outside of the post-primary education system for learners of the language. Under the scheme, my Department provides a subsidy payable to qualifying Gaeltacht households who provide accommodation for those attending an Irish course in any one of the c. 40 Irish language colleges operating under the scheme.
The Irish colleges' sector is essentially commercial in nature which differentiates it from the state education system. In light of this, any complaints regarding the manner in which a college operates should be referred to the Directors of the college concerned.
A copy of my Department's regulations governing the operation of Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge can be obtained at the following link: www.gov.ie/ga/an-roinn-forbartha-tuaithe-agus-pobail-agus-gaeltachta/foilseachain/earn%C3%A1il-na-gcol%C3%A1ist%C3%AD-gaeilge-2/.
