4213. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of non-craft apprentices awaiting off-the-job training with SOLAS, broken down by county; and the number waiting longer than three, six and nine months or over a year. [58522/26]

4214. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft apprentices awaiting off-the-job training with SOLAS, broken down by county; and the number waiting longer than three, six and nine months or over a year. [58523/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4213 and 4214 together.

Typical craft apprenticeship programmes have a minimum duration of 208 weeks, with a further period of up to 12 weeks required for validation of craft certification. Apprentices can register throughout the year, and a range of factors can influence the time it takes to complete an apprenticeship. These include deferring training, repeating assessments, or other individual circumstances. An apprentice may also choose to pause their progression for personal or employment-related reasons. Across the craft apprenticeship system, the median time to certification was 239 weeks in 2024, reducing to 227 weeks in 2025, indicating that the majority of apprentices are completing their apprenticeship in a timely manner.

As apprenticeships in Ireland operate on a national basis, apprentice pipeline data is not available by county. The table at the link below, based on information provided by SOLAS, therefore provides the closest available national data, broken down by Phases 2, 4 and 6 and presented in non-overlapping time bands of 3–5 months, 6–11 months and 12 months or more. The figures reflect the position at the end of June 2026.

Since the end of June 2026, 2,482 places have been scheduled for apprentices eligible for Phase 4 off-the-job training and 1,374 places have been scheduled for apprentices eligible for Phase 6 off-the-job training. Phase 2 scheduling takes place year-round on a rolling basis, with approximately 800 Phase 2 places planned to be scheduled during July 2026. These scheduling figures are presented in separate columns in the table at the link below, as this scheduling activity took place after the end-June figures were compiled.

SOLAS is the State agency with responsibility for further education and training, including apprenticeships. SOLAS works with the Higher Education Authority and Education and Training Boards to monitor each trade individually and ensure sufficient training capacity. To be eligible for an off-the-job training phase, an apprentice must have successfully completed all components of their current phase, including the minimum mandatory training for on-the-job phases: typically three months in Phase 1 and six months in both Phases 3 and 5. The apprenticeship system operates on a continuous-intake basis and maintaining a steady pipeline of apprentices is essential to support full classes, optimise training capacity and ensure value for money.

Post-2016 consortia-led apprenticeships operate differently from craft apprenticeships. These programmes have fixed intake timings, with a set number of funded training places. Off-the-job training and apprentice progression are facilitated in line with the relevant academic calendar. There are no waiting times associated with consortia-led apprenticeships.

End-June 2026 Craft Apprentice Training Pipeline