Dublin Aerospace Limited (Dublin Aerospace Limited)

Lobbying Organisation Dublin Aerospace Limited

Date published 12 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Engineering Apprenticeship reform

Intended results We sought support for our summertime modularised apprentice aircraft engineering training, with funding equal to the SOLAS-funded TUD model. We highlighted that fewer than 40% of apprentices across airlines and MROs pass the current TUD/SOLAS EASA Part 66 Category B exams, yet no meaningful reform of module delivery or exam timing has occurred despite stated ministerial support for alternative approaches.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Conor McCarthy and William Flaherty

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

We sought support from the Department of Transport and MoFHEIRS for our summertime modularised apprentice aircraft engineering training, with funding equal to the SOLAS-funded TUD model. We highlighted that fewer than 40% of apprentices across airlines and MROs pass the current TUD/SOLAS EASA Part 66 Category B exams, yet no meaningful reform of module delivery or exam timing has occurred despite stated ministerial support for alternative approaches.

Meeting (1)

A meeting was arranged with James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland Fiona O'Byrne, Assistant Secretary for Skills Policy and Apprenticeship and Sally Cao, Principal Officer Apprenticeship Policy to further discuss.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Transport)

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)