Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
221. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further actions he will take to increase craft apprenticeship participation given the additional funding allocated in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66416/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister Lawless and I have prioritised the growth of craft apprenticeships to support critical trades like plumbing and electrical which are key to delivering the National Development Plan.
In Budget 2026, an additional investment of €79 million was secured to expand apprenticeship delivery.
€2.5 million investment was also secured to reduce higher education costs for apprentices. This means fees will be permanently lowered by 17% for more than 11,000 craft apprentices in the 2025/26 academic year, making participation more accessible.
I have also prioritised the promotion of apprenticeships as a valued tertiary education option. My department sponsors WorldSkills Ireland, and when I attended it this September, I saw strong engagement from schools nationwide. It showcases skills based occupations and raises awareness of the opportunities that skills based careers and apprenticeships offer.
The Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year awards celebrate excellence and highlight how apprenticeships address skills needs across sectors. These efforts, combined with strong government investment, have delivered real results. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations have grown by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 - the year my department was formed - to 7,113 in 2024.
Building on this progress, the Government will launch the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026 - 2030 next year, targeting 12,500 annual registrations by 2030 of which two thirds are in craft and construction. With the investment in Budget 2026 bringing the total apprenticeship current funding to over €410 million in 2026, there is a strong foundation to achieve this goal and continue growing the craft apprenticeship system.
