109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the funding cut to apprenticeships in Meath and across the State; his assessment of the practical impact of this cut; the measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37297/25]

Sentiment score: -0.04

Is that the case with LMETB or are there specific circumstances in its area? I do not know whether the Minister was going to make a point on that. The figures I have from the service plan for 2025 show further education and training funding was €87 million and that this was revised on foot of a funding letter down to €73.7 million. That is a cut of in the region of €14 million, by any measure. There are genuine concerns in relation to it. The Minister mentioned in an earlier response the possibility of a supplementary budget, which I hope will come soon. Is that his intention? Is it his understanding that the figure for the LMETB area is €14 million or such a sum?

Sentiment score: 0.02

It is really important that these courses proceed and that people be allowed to work their way through the system because we need a conveyor belt of graduates in all courses. There was a reference earlier to reflection on how we have ended up in this place. None of the students or apprentices has dropped out of the sky; they have been in the system. Has SOLAS dropped the ball? Did the Minister’s predecessor, Deputy O’Donovan, do so? What has gone wrong such that we have ended up as we have? I hope that through the Minister’s and collective efforts, we will get out of this, but it is a serious concern. I wonder what is at the heart of it.

Sentiment score: -0.01