Written Answers Nos. 1339-1360
1340. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average wage paid to an apprentice for each of the years of their training, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37354/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1341. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average hours a craft apprentice works per day and the average days a craft apprentice works per week when they are not in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37355/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1342. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of weeks a craft apprentice spends in training where they are paid the training allowance; the amount the training allowance per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37356/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1343. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of employers who are currently paying the national minimum wage to apprentices, in particular craft apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37357/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1340 to 1343, inclusive, together.
Apprentices are employees with a contract of employment, and working hours and weekly schedules are governed by employment law. Both apprentices and employers must comply with the SOLAS Apprenticeship Code of Practice, and apprentices who have concerns about working arrangements can raise them with SOLAS.
With respect to apprenticeship requirements, these are framed in terms of overall employment duration rather than specific working hours. The mandatory duration for a craft apprenticeship, from commencement of training to completion, is a minimum of 208 weeks, with a further period of up to 12 weeks required to process the apprenticeship certificate. The median time to certification across the craft apprenticeship system was 227 weeks in 2025, down from 239 weeks in 2024. This includes off-the-job training phases, 2, 4 and 6, which for most craft apprenticeships amount to 44 weeks in total.
I am very conscious of the cost-of-living pressures facing apprentices and the importance of ensuring that financial barriers do not limit participation in apprenticeship and tertiary education pathways. In recognition of this, in Budget 2026 I introduced measures to reduce the financial burden on learners. A permanent reduction in the student contribution charge from €3,000 to €2,500 under the Free Fees Initiative represents a 17% decrease for eligible apprentices attending higher education. Supported by €2.5 million in funding, this measure will benefit approximately 14,000 apprentices in the 2025/26 academic year.
Additional targeted supports are also available. The Access to Apprenticeship Initiative provides financial assistance, including a €3,000 bursary, to support participation by learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme offers tailored financial and practical supports to improve access, retention and completion for members of the Traveller community. Craft apprentices attending off-the-job training may also access supplementary supports for travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
My department does not hold wage information for apprentice employers. Apprentices are exempt from minimum wage legislation, which falls under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. For most craft apprentices, minimum pay rates are determined through collective bargaining or Sectoral Employment Orders and are subject to standard industrial relations dispute resolution mechanisms.
During off-the-job training, craft apprentices receive a State training allowance. While this is not a wage and does not constitute an employment relationship with SOLAS, it is aligned with the minimum pay rates and increases as apprentices progress. By year three, State training allowances across all craft sectors exceed national minimum wage. This is set out in the table below.
CSO data shows that over 90% of apprentices who qualified in 2020 were in employment two years later, with median weekly earnings of €935 (approximately €48,600 annually).
1346. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional staff employed or that will be employed by his Department directly or under contract for the purposes of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. [37454/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This represents a significant opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda.
My Department has identified and is addressing all EU Presidency resourcing requirements. At the start of the Presidency, there will be 20 additional staff delivering on EU presidency related work across two locations – Brussels (7) and Dublin (13). Existing staff from across the Department have been re-deployed to take on this work along with some temporary staff also hired for this purpose.
1347. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the decision to end or substantially reduce ESOL provision for Ukrainians and other learners in County Donegal from March 2027, including classes delivered in community and resource centre settings; if he will provide the ESOL allocation to Donegal ETB in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the projected allocation for 2027; the number of ESOL learners, class hours, tutors and venues supported in Donegal in each of those years; the number of tutors expected to lose hours or employment as a result of the reduction in funding; whether transitional or replacement funding will be provided to allow learners to continue ESOL for at least a further two years where they have not yet reached a level of English sufficient for employment or independent living, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are liaising with Donegal ETB on this matter and a response will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1348. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that will apply for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine who are already enrolled in higher education, further education, PLC, Springboard, adult learning or upskilling courses in the 2026/2027 academic year; whether existing students will be supported to complete their courses; what supports will be available to mature Ukrainian students who have begun upskilling or reskilling in order to enter employment; and if he will provide a clear public guidance note for affected students and education providers in County Donegal and nationally. [37499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs advised in May 2025 Temporary Tuition Fee Support Scheme, the BOTP Stipend and the PLC Bursary will be closed for any applicant starting a new course in the 2026/2027 Academic Year. Support for new entrants will be via existing schemes such as the Free Fees Scheme and/or the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Prospective students must meet the relevant eligibility criteria of those schemes to avail of supports.
Students progressing in their academic course whose initial Temporary Permission was granted by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration more than three years before the start of the 2026/ 2027 Academic Year should apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to check eligibility for financial supports.
Temporary supports for students progressing in their academic courses, namely - the BoTP Stipend, the PLC Bursary and the Temporary Tuition Fee Support Scheme - are currently under review for the Academic Year 26/27 and further information will be available on Gov.ie in the coming weeks.
Springboard+ eligibility was expanded from the 2022/23 academic year to include ‘qualified persons’, meaning persons granted temporary protection in Ireland under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015, in accordance with the EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC. Beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine may therefore apply for Springboard+ courses on the same basis as Irish citizens, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the relevant course and call.
Springboard+ operates on an annual call basis and courses are generally of short duration, typically one year or less, therefore it does not generally create an automatic continuing entitlement into a second academic year. Applicants for Springboard+ 2026 will be assessed at the point of application, with approved courses scheduled to commence between August and 31 October 2026. Springboard+ is operated by the HEA on behalf of this Department, further information can be found on springboardcourses.ie/.
1349. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timelines for when the PBC will be completed for the Swords College of the Future; when the due diligence for the preferred site option will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37872/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) are currently being supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case for their proposal under the FET College Major Capital Programme. My Department officials and SOLAS stand ready to evaluate the Preliminary Business Case as soon as it is submitted.
In parallel to this work, DDLETB is also progressing work on a site option in Swords for the location of this new FET College. Ministerial approval was previously provided to DDLETB in July 2025 to enter negotiations with a property owner, to agree a price and to begin legal and site due diligence on a particular site. I understand that despite the best efforts of DDLETB, they were not able to complete the legal due diligence on the site due to a number of issues remaining outstanding including access and site boundaries.
In the past week, SOLAS has notified my department that the property owner has sold a portion of the site to another party. My department continues to engage with SOLAS and DDLETB to consider whether the remaining lands of the site would be suitable for this project or whether other site options may need to be considered.
Along with SOLAS, my department will continue to support DDLETB in progressing this major capital project which will deliver key FET infrastructure to meet the needs of learners in Fingal and surrounding areas.
1350. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the basis on which the Erasmus+ funding allocation for a consortium (details supplied) was reduced by more than 70% compared with the mobility numbers applied for; the criteria used to determine reductions in allocations where demand is high; if he will review this decision in light of the fact that comparable consortiums received full funding for their requested mobilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37930/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold records relating to applications under the Erasmus+ Programme. These are managed by Léargas who act as the legal entity for administering the Erasmus and ESC programmes.
My Department has notified Léargas of the Deputy's request and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy in due course.
1351. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a consortium (details supplied) did not receive the annexe referenced in the Erasmus+ funding notification issued by Léargas; when this annexe will be provided; if he will address concerns regarding the difficulty in contacting Léargas for clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not hold records relating to applications under the Erasmus+ Programme. These are managed by Léargas who act as the legal entity for administering the Erasmus and ESC programmes.
My Department has notified Léargas of the Deputy's request and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1352. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he will make a decision in relation to a recommendation by the Placenames Committee (details supplied); the date on which the recommendation will be published; if there are any restrictions on him changing placenames due to uncommenced regulation, SI or legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36558/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been engaging with local groups from Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath since 2022 regarding the Irish language version of the town’s placename.
On the advice of the Placenames Commission, after comprehensive study of the history of this placename, ‘Dún Seachlainn’ was given legal status as the Irish name of ‘Dunshaughlin’ in An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Foirmeacha Gaeilge) (Uimh. 1) (Postbhailte) 1975 under the Place-names (Irish Forms) Act 1973. ‘Dún Seachlainn’ was further confirmed to be the Irish version of the placename under the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 in the Placenames (Population Centres and Districts) Order 2005.
Under section 32(1)(b) of the Official Languages Act 2003 (as amended by section 14 of the Official Languages Act 2021), the Minister may, having received advice from An Coiste Logainmneacha/the Placenames Committee, amend a placenames order. There are no restrictions on me making such an amendment in order to change an Irish language placename due to any uncommenced regulation, SI or legislation.
I have received a detailed report from An Coiste Logainmneacha/the Placenames Committee on the issues involved in this case and am considering those issues carefully with a view to making a decision in due course.
1353. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the 2026 budget allocation for the outdoor infrastructure recreation scheme. [36900/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department as part of the Rural Development Investment Programme.
It is an important contributor to “Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors”, our national outdoor recreation strategy. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, blue ways, mountain access routes and open water facilities at rivers, lakes and beaches.
Since 2016, funding of over €154 million has been approved for more than 2,060 outdoor amenities across the country. These new and improved facilities are a vital outlet for both residents and tourists.
Applications under ORIS are administered, prioritised and submitted by local authorities, local development companies and state bodies to my Department for assessment.
The 2026 budget allocation for the ORIS subhead in 2026 is €17 million. Funding is allocated to outdoor recreation projects from this subhead on a multi-annual basis in keeping with the structure of the scheme.
1354. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of WTE qualified solicitors working for the Charities Regulator as of 11 May 2026, in tabular form. [36901/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulator, under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with a mandate to promote good governance practice. While the Regulator is under the aegis of my Department, it is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
The table below details the the number of WTE qualified solicitors working for the Charities Regulator:
|
Date |
Number of WTE qualified solicitors employed |
|
11 May 2026 |
4 |
1355. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the polices that are in place to support city and county councils and community groups to utilise community centres to their maximum potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a range of supports in place with regard to community centres. All of my Departments schemes and supports are underpinned by key Government policies including Our Rural Future and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities. These policies recognise the important role community centres play in supporting social inclusion, community participation, recreation, and rural and urban regeneration. While the day-to-day operation and usage of such facilities is a matter for each local authority, or other relevant body responsible for each centre, my Department works in partnership with local authorities, Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), and community organisations to support and develop this broad area.
My Department's Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF) provides capital funding for the upgrade, refurbishment and development of community centres and facilities nationwide. The fund supports projects including accessibility works, energy efficiency measures, building enhancements and the development of multi-purpose community spaces. It is a central aspect of the scheme that the building in question must be open to and used by a broad range of individuals and groups within the local community for group activities such as social events, information/supports and recreation. The 2026 CCIF iteration of the schemes will focus on the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres. The online application portal for this funding programme will open on May 29th. Further details are available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/community-centres-investment-fund/
In addition, the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small-scale capital and current funding to community and voluntary groups to assist with facility improvements, equipment purchases and ongoing running costs associated with community facilities and activities. Community infrastructure is also supported through schemes including LEADER, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, CLÁR and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. In some instances, operational and community development supports are provided through the Community Services Programme (CSP), which supports community organisations and social enterprises that deliver essential local services and manage community facilities. Finally, it should also be noted that the Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme, and Tús, which are operated by the Department of Social Protection, provide an important resource for many community centres and community facilities across the country.
1356. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will assist a facility (details supplied) to secure capital grant funding for the urgent replacement of its roof; if he will indicate which of the Community Centres Investment Fund, the CLÁR Programme or the Community Recognition Fund is best suited to this project; if he will arrange for a Rural Development Officer from Clare County Council to meet the centre's committee to progress an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe community group concerned may wish to consider applying for funding through the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) or the CLÁR programme. The most appropriate scheme will depend on the particulars of the group and the works required. Details of these programmes can be found on my Departments website.
The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to communities in both rural and urban areas. The scheme supports enhancement and refurbishment works on existing facilities and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified.
I was delighted to launch the latest round of funding under CCIF 2026 on the 26th March for enhancement and refurbishment of existing community facilities including roof repairs. The fund will be delivered across 2 categories with maximum funding levels of €25,000 and €100,000 respectively. The fund will open to online applications on 29th May and I will announce the successful projects before the end of the year.
There are a range of resources available to assist potential applicants under this fund, including information events and regular online clinics where applicants can directly ask any questions they may have in relation to their application. Full details on the fund, in addition to links to register for information events, are available on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/services/community-centres-investment-fund/#community-centres-investment-fund-2026-refurbishment-grant
The CLAR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. The 2026 CLAR programme was launched on 10th March this year with a record budget of €12 million. Measure 1 of the 2026 programme will continue to support the development of community facilities and amenities and is currently open for applications via local authorities. If a group wishes to apply for CLAR funding, they should contact their local authority in the first instance.
I have asked my officials to forward the details of the facility provided by the deputy to Clare County Council for their attention.
1357. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has any usage policy on or if it sanctions for official purposes the use of messaging apps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37208/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has an ICT Acceptable Usage Policy in place. It is specifically noted in the ICT Acceptable Usage Policy that it applies to instant messaging applications. All staff must sign and adhere to this policy. As part of this policy, my Department adheres to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform, and Digitalisation's Circular 09/2019 "Policy on the Use of Private Email and Other Private Messaging Services". Circular 09/2019 states that the use of private email accounts or other private messaging services to conduct official government business should be avoided, other than in exceptional circumstances, such as an extended loss of ICT services. It also states that in such circumstances correspondence relating to official government business should be forwarded to the civil servant’s organisation account.
1358. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of additional staff employed or that will be employed by his Department directly or under contract for the purposes of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 [37459/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is participating in the cross Government structures to deliver a successful EU Presidency, and has input into the Policy Programme for the Presidency. It is also working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support the use of Irish throughout the period, and to ensure relevant staff are supported in doing so as they chair and host meetings and events. My Department also intends to host a range of events associated with the EU Presidency, encompassing various themes including rural and regional development, social inclusion, and minority languages.
I can advise that my Department has not to date employed any new or additional staff directly or under contract to support delivery of the Presidency. While specific staff have been assigned to work on the EU Presidency, to date this has been delivered within my Department’s existing staff cohort. This capacity to deliver using existing staff will continue to be carefully monitored and managed, in line with my Department’s ongoing workforce planning.
1359. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided for the re-introduction of the Scéim na mBóithre Áise in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Programme for Government includes a commitment to restoring Scéim na mBóithre Áise during this Government's term. The mechanism and approach related to reintroducing this scheme are currently being examined by officials in my Department.
In the meantime, funding is available through my department under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to assist local authorities in carrying out improvement works on private roads and on roads that are not normally publicly maintained.
The 2026 Local Improvement Scheme has a budget of €17.5 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways. This is an increase of €2 million on the 2025 allocation to the scheme. This amounts to a total of over €201 million that has been allocated to local authorities under the Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017.
Further information on the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is available on my Departments website.
1360. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 599 of 12 May 2026, to engage with Fingal County Council on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37883/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile not falling within the remit of my Department, my officials have engaged with Fingal local authority on the matter raised by the Deputy. I have been advised that the facility in question is part of a Shared School Model.
I understand that the land on which the building is located is owned by the Department of Education and Youth and is leased to Fingal local authority on a twenty-five-year term with a right of way access arrangement and allocation of four marked car-parking spaces for exclusive use by the Community Centre during school hours.
Outside of school hours, parking across the site is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The allocation of additional spaces would be a matter for agreement between the Department of Education and Youth and Fingal local authority.
