I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 to 568, inclusive, together.
Apprentice participation by gender and age [16 to 17, 18 to 21, 22 to 24, 25 to 29 years and over 30 years of age] are set out in the tabular statements below.
The Programme for Government committed to publishing an updated Apprenticeship Action Plan which will look at new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to cover the period 2021-2025. Stakeholders were invited to review a consultation paper which set out the current governance and operational structures of the apprenticeship system in July 2020.
58 submissions were received from stakeholders such as employer groups, representative groups, education providers and individual apprentices and members of the public. The submissions are currently being analysed to assess emerging themes and issues arising. This consultation is being supplemented with feedback from SME employers through the Regional Skills Fora and an apprentice questionnaire which will issue during October. Further engagement on major findings and emerging themes will be held as necessary in November.
Drafting will be undertaken in parallel with the work outlined above and will be finalised in late November and early December for consideration by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister for Skills and Further Education.
As of 2nd October 466 applications (not approved payments) for the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme were received in respect of 859 apprentices. A total of €124,000, as of Friday 25th September, were paid to employers. Details of applications that have currently been processed for payment county by county are set out in an attached tabular statement.
Apprentices Age Breakdown
Age band
|
Pre 2016
|
Post 2016
|
Total
|
16 - 17
|
1318
|
11
|
1329
|
18 - 21
|
10417
|
524
|
10941
|
22 - 24
|
2435
|
406
|
2841
|
25 - 29
|
1472
|
434
|
1906
|
30 +
|
581
|
684
|
1265
|
Total
|
16223
|
2059
|
18282
|
Live Apprentice population at end of September 2020 - All Trades
|
Male
|
Female
|
Auctioneering and Property Services
|
89
|
94
|
Auctioneering and Property Services
|
89
|
94
|
BioPharmaChem
|
22
|
32
|
Laboratory Analyst
|
16
|
18
|
Laboratory Technician
|
6
|
14
|
Construction
|
4357
|
20
|
Brick and Stonelaying
|
191
|
|
Cabinet Making
|
2
|
|
Carpentry and Joinery
|
1733
|
6
|
Geo Driller
|
14
|
|
Painting and Decorating
|
103
|
5
|
Plastering
|
90
|
|
Plumbing
|
1950
|
6
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry
|
17
|
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing
|
257
|
3
|
Electrical
|
7542
|
82
|
Aircraft Mechanics
|
187
|
15
|
Electrical
|
6323
|
52
|
Electrical Instrumentation
|
396
|
8
|
Electronic Security Systems
|
154
|
2
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer
|
82
|
1
|
Instrumentation
|
52
|
2
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
|
348
|
2
|
Engineering
|
2279
|
36
|
Engineering Services Management
|
9
|
|
Farriery
|
20
|
|
Industrial Insulation
|
51
|
|
Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting
|
623
|
8
|
Manufacturing Engineer (Level 7)
|
88
|
6
|
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6)
|
95
|
12
|
Metal Fabrication
|
789
|
1
|
OEM Engineer
|
17
|
1
|
Pipefitting
|
174
|
|
Polymer Processing Technology
|
46
|
4
|
Sheet Metalworking
|
144
|
1
|
Toolmaking
|
223
|
3
|
Financial Services
|
300
|
315
|
Accounting Technician
|
105
|
172
|
Insurance Practitioner
|
153
|
124
|
International Financial Services Associate
|
17
|
8
|
International Financial Services Specialist
|
25
|
11
|
Hair
|
2
|
8
|
Hairdressing
|
2
|
8
|
Hospitality and Food
|
205
|
38
|
Butcher
|
40
|
2
|
Chef de Partie
|
53
|
15
|
Commis Chef
|
109
|
21
|
Sous Chef
|
3
|
|
ICT
|
247
|
59
|
Cybersecurity
|
27
|
7
|
Network Engineer Associate
|
60
|
8
|
Software Developer Associate
|
91
|
41
|
Telecommunications and Data Network Technician
|
69
|
3
|
Logistics
|
85
|
33
|
Lean Sigma Manager
|
20
|
10
|
Logistics Associate
|
61
|
21
|
Supply Chain Manager
|
3
|
2
|
Supply Chain Specialist
|
1
|
|
Media
|
5
|
2
|
CGI Technical Artist
|
5
|
2
|
Motor
|
2254
|
26
|
Agricultural Mechanics
|
144
|
|
Construction Plant Fitting
|
250
|
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics
|
515
|
3
|
Motor Mechanics
|
1205
|
20
|
Vehicle Body Repairs
|
140
|
3
|
Printing & Paper
|
2
|
0
|
Print Media
|
2
|
|
Recruitment
|
2
|
3
|
Recruitment Executive
|
2
|
3
|
Sales
|
68
|
75
|
Retail Supervision
|
58
|
69
|
Sales
|
10
|
6
|
Total
|
17459
|
823
|
Grand Total
|
|
18282
|
Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme - Processed Payments
County
|
Applications
|
Carlow
|
4
|
Cavan
|
2
|
Clare
|
3
|
Cork
|
19
|
Donegal
|
5
|
Dublin
|
31
|
Galway
|
6
|
Kerry
|
5
|
Kildare
|
7
|
Kilkenny
|
1
|
Laois
|
4
|
Leitrim
|
2
|
Limerick
|
2
|
Longford
|
2
|
Louth
|
1
|
Mayo
|
2
|
Meath
|
4
|
Monaghan
|
1
|
Offaly
|
3
|
Roscommon
|
1
|
Tipperary
|
5
|
Waterford
|
6
|
Westmeath
|
2
|
Wexford
|
12
|
Wicklow
|
4
|
Grand Total
|
134
|