Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of new apprentice registrations in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23292/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to growing the footprint of apprenticeship in the education system significantly, and my Department launched the Action Plan for Apprenticeship in 2021, setting out the steps to achieve that goal and support current and future skills need for the economy.

Budget 2024 provided €67 million for this growth and to prioritise work underway to substantially reduce waiting times for the first phase of "off-the-job" craft apprenticeship training.

There has been a strong and growing recognition of apprenticeship as a valuable employment and skills opportunity, demonstrated by growing registrations.

In 2023 there were 8,712 apprentice registrations - a 41% increase compared to 6,177 registrations in 2019. We are on track for a target 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2025.

Supporting NDP delivery and Housing for All targets, construction and construction related apprenticeship registrations rose by 30%, from 4,463 in 2019 to 5,794 in 2023.

The Action Plan for Apprenticeship also promotes access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship. I am pleased to say we have seen growing female participation, with female registrations rising by 180% from 371 in 2019 to 1,039 in 2023.

In 2019 there were 53 national apprenticeship programmes. This number has grown substantially, with 74 programmes now available at NFQ Levels 5 – 10. This a very major increase in choice for learners and for employers.

Apprenticeships are now available in sectors such as IT, Retail, Farming, Engineering, Health and Social work, and provide a sustainable pipeline to address the current and future skills needs of industry.