Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
842. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the gender breakdown in construction-related apprenticeships over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42619/21]
View answerA number of reports have highlighted that the number of women employed in craft apprenticeships is low, reflecting the traditionally low levels of women represented across the craft sectors. There is a specific focus on female participation as part of the Generation Apprenticeship national promotional campaign. In addition, SOLAS offer a bursary of €2,666 to eligible employers who employ women apprentices in one of the craft apprenticeships, however participation by women continues to lag behind other apprenticeships.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 provides for an expansion of measures targeted to ensuring that the profile of the apprenticeship population more closely reflects that of society in general. To this end, the structure of the new apprenticeship system will include an equity of access committee which will advise on sectoral interventions to support widening of participation in apprenticeship.
Information in relation to the gender breakdown of the population in construction-related apprenticeships over the past three year can be found in attachment 1.
