Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2026
205. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if plans are in place to address the disparity between the number of registrations by electrical apprentices and the number of registrations by apprentice block layers and plasterers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are demand-led, and differences in registration levels reflect variations in labour-market demand, employer recruitment capacity, economic cycles, and the relative attractiveness of particular trades at any given time.The Government has prioritised investment in apprenticeships. In Budget 2026, €79 million investment was secured to expand apprenticeship delivery. This brings total current investment in apprenticeship to over €410 million, representing an increase of more than 120% in funding since 2020, the year in which my Department was established. This investment will directly support the continued expansion of the craft apprenticeship system, including key construction trades such as plastering and brick and stone-laying. This investment has seen a growth of 77% in apprentice registrations, from 5,326 in 2020 to 9,461 at the end of 2025. Supporting skills needs across the construction sector, including traditional craft trades, is a priority for Government in the context of delivering on housing and infrastructure objectives. A range of measures are in place to support increased participation in construction apprenticeships, including targeted promotion of apprenticeship as a viable and attractive career pathway, enhanced learner supports, and sustained employer-engagement initiatives. I am pleased to report that my Department's Building Heroes campaign is going from strength to strength. The first phase of the 2025 campaign, with almost 100 pieces of content across social media, has exceeded targets for engagement with a 23% increase in followers across all platforms. There have been almost 8,000 engagements, an increase of 140% per post compared with 2024. Phase two of the 2025 campaign kicked off at WorldSkills in September - an annual event that plays a key role in showcasing career pathways in construction and raising awareness of the valuable opportunities available through apprenticeships.A key commitment in the Programme for Government is the development of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, which will set a headline target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations per annum by 2030. Two-thirds of these registrations will be in craft and construction apprenticeship programmes, reflecting the critical role of these trades in meeting national priorities.The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030 will be launched in the first half of next year. On 19 December, Minister Harkin and I launched a public consultation to inform the development of the Plan, which will remain open until 16 February. I encourage all interested stakeholders to participate. Details of the consultation are available on the Gov.ie website in the Consultations section.
