I propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 266 and 267 together.
In 2017, €98.7m has been allocated for apprenticeship training which represents a 40% increase on the 2016 spend of €69.6m. Future years' allocations will be determined through the normal budgetary process which takes account of competing demands and the overall availability of resources.
The Apprenticeship Council is not an executive body and therefore is not a budget holder. Funding for apprenticeship is primarily through SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority. Secretariat to the Council is provided by SOLAS.
2016
|
2017
|
2018*
|
2019*
|
2020*
|
2021**
|
Outturn
|
Allocation
|
Estimate
|
Estimate
|
Estimate
|
Estimate
|
€69.6m
|
€98.7m
|
€135.3m
|
€165.8m
|
€196.8m
|
€220m
|
*Figures based on annual target registrations set out in the Action Plan to Expand Apprenticeship & Traineeship 2016-2020.
**Figure based on registrations in 2021 being the same as 2020.