Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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422. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to indicate the extent to which precise requirements in apprenticeships has been identified throughout the industrial sector; the extent to which this need is being met and is likely to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30838/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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This Department's priority is to ensure that the apprenticeship system is agile and responsive to the requirements of industry.

Currently there are 75 national apprenticeship programmes available between NFQ levels 5 and 10. This is up from 53 national programmes in 2019, representing a very big increase in choice for learners and employers alike.

Consortia-led apprenticeship programmes are developed by industry led consortium groups composed of employers, employer representative groups, education and training providers and other key stakeholders for a specific occupation or industry. Programmes are developed with the aim of meeting a training, development, or upskilling need in an industry for a particular occupation and continues to evolve with the occupation over time, thereby fulfilling labour market needs.

There are 30 construction and construction-related apprenticeships supporting a buoyant construction sector and Government priorities under Housing for All and NDP Delivery. Programmes launched in the last couple of years include advanced quantity surveying and two civil engineering programmes. Apprenticeships anticipated to launch over the next 12 months include roofing and cladding and further civil engineering apprenticeships, to ensure career progression opportunities. Programmes in earlier stages of development include one for social & affordable housing & housing services.

Industry is actively engaged in identifying apprenticeship requirements, for example the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has been involved in a number of apprenticeships, including roofing and cladding, and works with partners in industry to seek to develop apprenticeships with specific industry requirements such as a Water / Wastewater / Drainage services.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) are working with universities nationally to develop apprenticeships in Geomatics (Level 6), Construction Management (Level 7), Building Surveying (Level 8) and Quantity Surveying (Levels 6-8 at application stage, level 9 launched). All apprenticeships are being led by industry consortiums who assist in the design of these courses.

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is also using its network to gauge interest in convening employers together to potentially develop an Architectural Technology Apprenticeship Programme.

Also supporting the industrial sector, there are 5 logistics programmes, 5 hospitality and food programmes, 4 ICT programmes, 5 aboriculture and horticulture programmes, 3 finance and accounting apprenticeship programmes, 2 retail programmes, and 1 insurance programme. Details on these can be found at www.apprenticeship.ie.