Written Answers Nos. 202-206
203. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2652/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Scales were introduced in the Civil Service in 1995 following an agreement between the Department of Finance and the Public Service Executive Union recorded in Circular 24/1995. A further agreement with the Public Service Credit Union, governing Higher Scales for Clerical Officers, was recorded in Circular 33/1997.The agreements provide the proportions for each grade which can be assigned to the higher scales. This proportion includes staff who are assigned to a higher scale while working in the Department and staff who transfer into the Department while already on the higher scale.
The agreements also outline the methods by which eligible staff are assigned to the higher scales. Section 3 (c) of Circular 24/1995 states that the first 50% of officers progressed to the higher scale should be done so based on seniority. Section 2 (a) states Head of Department will select officers to be progressed to the higher scale and that the criteria by which these selections are made should be communicated with staff. In DFHERIS, 100% of the assignments at Higher Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Executive Officer, and Clerical Officer are based on seniority and suitability (meeting PMDS & sick leave requirements). These criteria by which all higher scales assignments are made in this Department have been communicated to all staff and agreed with the union. Clerical Officers who move to a new Department on mobility do not carry their seniority with them and will accrue seniority from their start date in their new Department. All other grades carry their seniority with them on transfer to a new Department.
204. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice registrations across all construction trades from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [2764/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the establishment of my department in 2020, Government investment in apprenticeship delivery has more than doubled. This sustained investment has underpinned strong growth in registrations across construction and construction-related apprenticeships. Overall registrations in these areas have increased by 67%, rising from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,362 in 2025.The attached tables provide a detailed breakdown of apprentice registrations across all construction trades for the period 2020 to 2025.For clarity, “construction” apprenticeships typically focus on hands-on, site-based training, while “construction-related” apprenticeships encompass a wider range of roles that support the sector, including office-based, managerial, technical, and design-focused occupations.
Construction and Construction Related Registrations 2020-2025
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.
206. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department operates in line with Circular 24/1995, with this arrangement agreed with the relevant union. Given this, there is no separate policy in place. The Department reviews its higher scale liabilities annually, each July
