253. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department will play to ensure that there are enough construction workers with the necessary skills to balance the competing priorities of building the Metrolink without placing housing targets at risk, which will require the construction of houses as well the building out the electricity grid and wastewater infrastructure; if he has met with the Ministers of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or Transport to discuss this; if he has met with the Taoiseach to discuss this; the plans and/or targets that have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67796/25]

My Department published An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofittingin October 2024. Recognising the report focused on residential housing, and relied on workforce data from 2022, a new report has been commissioned. This new report will analyse workforce supply and demand across the construction sector – including infrastructural priorities – and is expected to go to Cabinet in January and published thereafter.

The ongoing work of my Department in developing a sustainable construction skills pipeline can be broken down into three distinct strands. The first strand is our investment in the apprenticeship system.

Budget 2026 provided a significant €79 million additional investment in apprenticeships. Since 2020, we have more than doubled the investment in apprenticeships.

The total number of apprentices in construction and related fields has grown by 50% between 2020 and 2024, from 14,567 to 21,895, while construction and related registrations across the same fields rose by 66%, from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,319 in 2024. In addition, registrations in craft apprenticeships rose by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 to 7,113 in 2024.

This underpins the value of this training route at a time of near-full employment and high demand for construction skills.

There are now 31 construction or construction-related apprenticeship programmes, approximately 40% of all apprenticeships, with more in the pipeline.

Next year will see the launch of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030. A key commitment in the Programme for Government, it will have a headline target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations per year by 2030 and two-thirds of these will be in craft and construction-related programmes. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are to begin shortly.

The second strand focuses on advancing the use of modern methods of construction (MMC).

There is a clear productivity dividend from the increased application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Research published in 2024 estimates that 24% fewer workers would be needed to build new homes with an increased use of MMC.

We are implementing a comprehensive, cross-sector Action Plan – published in June - to support the greater adoption of MMC. This MMC Action Plan was developed in consultation with key partners and supports the transition to MMC across the construction supply chain.

We are also working closely with sectoral partners to increase MMC skills supply across the tertiary system. The National Construction Training Campus launched a suite of MMC micro-credentials through its MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio in February 2025. Additional MMC courses are in development, including an MMC traineeship.

We have also developed a digital ‘one stop shop’ for all things MMC. The Skillnet MMC Accelerate national platform launched in May 2025 and highlights MMC projects, provides career pathways and education and upskilling provision.

An accessible flagship location for MMC demonstration and specialist training is also in development. The National Demonstration Park for MMC, being built at the National Construction Training Campus, will have its first units onsite in Q1 2026.

The third strand relates to the promotion of careers in construction and minimising barriers to entry.

Research undertaken by my Department found a lack of knowledge and understanding about the construction industry and the roles available, a poor perception of the working environment as well as a perception that construction is not suitable for women.

In response, we are implementing the cross-sector Careers in Construction Action Plan. The Plan aims to minimise barriers, promote career opportunities, and make construction jobs more attractive to women. The Careers in Construction Action Plan is being updated in collaboration with key industry and education partners, with the revised plan set to be published in the new year.

We are reaching out to our young people to show them the exciting reality of a career in this dynamic and diverse sector. Promotional activity has included the Building Heroes social media campaign, a documentary on careers in construction for second-level schools, and the Build Back Home campaign aimed at skilled Irish construction workers living abroad. Promotional activity will continue into 2026 and beyond.

Recruitment and training are also being supported across the construction sector through the Future Building initiative. Intreo, SOLAS and Education and Training Boards of Ireland have formed a dedicated cross-functional team to drive progress in recruitment for training courses, apprenticeships and jobs.

Together, these three strands reflect a broad range of approaches and initiatives aimed at expanding the skilled workforce, complimenting the vital role to be played by employers themselves in recruiting, retaining and upskilling their workforce.