THE Government announced a €446m spend for apprenticeships, up from €184 million in 2020, bringing funding to its highest level, according to the department.
The extra money, €35m next year, would be used to expand apprenticeship capacity, it said, supporting progress towards the Programme for Government target of 12,500 annual apprentice registrations by 2030.
There will be a €5m investment to support reforms to strengthen the quality of craft apprenticeship programmes.
Apprentices will get a pro rata reduction in fees in line with the €150 student contribution cut, and 16,000 apprentices are expected to benefit.