Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
130 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rates of payment for apprentices in each year of their apprenticeship; if these rates are enforceable by inspectors in her Department in respect of the cabinet makers trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17467/04]
View answerApprenticeship is the recognised means by which persons are trained to become craftspersons in Ireland. The main craft trades have been designated by FÁS and come within the scope of the statutory apprenticeship system. Apprenticeship in Ireland is organised by FÁS in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science, employers and unions. There are about 23,000 registered apprentices in the country.
Cabinet makers come under the construction umbrella. The current apprenticeship rates for cabinet makers are set out below.
|
Year |
Rate per week |
|
€ |
|
|
Phase 2 |
203.58 |
|
Phase 4 |
304.98 |
|
Phase 6 |
457.86 |
|
4th Year |
549.12 |
|
Year |
Rate per week |
|
€ |
|
|
Phase 2 |
207.48 |
|
Phase 4 |
311.22 |
|
Phase 6 |
466.83 |
|
4th Year |
560.04 |
Three employment regulation orders under the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004 also set rates of payment for apprentices. Details are set out below.
The Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004 also provide recognition for another form of agreement known as registered employment agreements. In this instance, an agreement is negotiated by the two sides in an industry or enterprise and is presented to the Labour Court for registration. There are 45 registered employment agreements, REAs, on the register maintained by the Labour Court. Two of those REAs that are actively enforced by the inspectorate have set rates of payment for apprentices and details are contained in the tables set out below.
At present, there is no employment regulation order or registered employment agreement that specifically covers cabinet makers. There are trainee rates contained in the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. Trainee rates are applicable to trainees, aged 18 or over, in structured training. The trainee rates are as follows: trainee in the first third of training period over age 18 is €5.25 per hour; trainee in the second third of training period over age 18 is €5.60 per hour; and trainee in the final third of training period over age 18 is €6.30 per hour.
The National Minimum Wage Act 2000 applies a strict definition of trainee and structured training. For example, for the above trainee rates to apply, at least 10% of the employee's training must occur outside day-to-day operational duties, there must be an assessment and certification procedure or written confirmation of the employee's completion of the course identifying the level of attainment of the employee against the objectives of the structured training, and the training must be related to improvement of work performance.
The labour inspectorate of my Department has responsibility for the enforcement of employment rights arising from a range of employment rights legislation. The National Minimum Wage Act 2000 falls within that remit and, accordingly, enforcement of its provisions is an aspect of a labour inspector's work.
Brush and Broom (ERO)
As this JLC has not made proposals to the Labour Court since 1994, no ERO has been made since then and the rates of pay in the ERO for the brush and broom sector are out of date. In the absence of an updated ERO, the terms of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 substitute for the minimum pay rates in the ERO.
|
Apprentices |
From 10 February 2004 |
|
€ |
|
|
Under Age 18 |
|
|
Age 18 and Over |
191.10 |
|
During 1st year of apprenticeship |
204.75 |
|
During 2nd year of apprenticeship |
218.40 |
|
During 3rd year of apprenticeship |
245.70 |
|
During 4th year of apprenticeship |
273.00 |
|
Apprentices |
Until31 January 2004Per week |
From1 February 2004Per week |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Under Age 18 |
176.89 |
191.10 |
|
Age 18 and Over |
||
|
During 1st year of Apprenticeship |
189.53 |
204.75 |
|
During 2nd year of Apprenticeship |
202.16 |
218.40 |
|
During 3rd year of Apprenticeship |
227.43 |
245.70 |
|
During 4th year |
252.70 |
273.00 |
|
Construction Apprentices% of Craft Rate |
Rate per Week |
|
€ |
|
|
1st year 33% |
Ç212.36 |
|
2nd year 50% |
318.54 |
|
3rd year 75% |
477.80 |
|
4th year 90% |
573.36 |
|
Apprentice Rates |
Rate per Hour |
|
€ |
|
|
1st Year |
5.20 |
|
2nd Year |
7.80 |
|
3rd Year |
11.27 |
|
4th Year |
13.87 |
