Concerns raised over future of Louth apprenticeships after budget cut

Serious concerns have been raised about the future of apprenticeships after it was revealed that the budget for them in Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) has been cut.

The concerns were raised by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, who, with his party colleague David Cullinane TD, tabled a Topical Issue last week which was addressed by Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless.

The Dundalk TD said SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training, and the ETBs are facing “budgetary issues.”

He said: “We heard word on the grapevine about individual ETBs saying their finances and budget had been slashed. It was put to me that in 2025 the budget is possibly over €40 million less across all ETBs.

“We are looking at the possibility that when we are meant to have an intake of new trade and other apprenticeships in July, they could be put back to September or October and some of them could be cancelled.

“This may have an impact on further education across the board. I refer to all sorts of apprenticeships, including PLCs, and community education.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, said a key part of the SOLAS remit is to allocate funding to the ETBs to deliver programmes, including apprenticeships.

Minister Lawless said: “However, issues have arisen operationally and that is part of the reason we are having this debate.

“A funding pressure has recently been identified for the 2025 apprenticeship budget. This pressure is primarily linked to the cost of State allowances paid to apprentices during their off-the-job training phases.

“I assure colleagues that the issue is being taken very seriously and that a pathway forward will be found. SOLAS is currently actively engaged with the ETBs and my Department to identify practical and sustainable solutions.

“I am taking a very keen interest in the discussions, which are ongoing. I am adamant that a solution must be found.

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“It is important to acknowledge that there is an inherent complexity in managing a system that is demand-led with a finite funding envelope. Put simply, demand in a given quarter or year can rise or fall, and it can be difficult to accurately predict or model that and then to support and resource it.

“I wish to make it clear that no apprenticeship course or class will be cancelled as a result of the current situation”.

Deputy Ó Murchú wanted to know what the timeline for resolution to the matter is and how the funding issue was not anticipated and that no apprenticeship course would be paused.

Minister Lawless said the matter was being “actively worked on” and said he would come back to the TDs with a roadmap for resolution.