Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Questions (113)

Clare Daly

Question:

113. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 342, 343 and 350 of 5 November 2013, if he will confirm that the financial implications regarding the annual student contribution for apprentices being pro rata, in relation to aviation apprentices where a model has been agreed with employers which requires them attending college for a full year, could see students being faced with fees of €4,890. [50113/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

A new apprenticeship model was introduced in September 2012 for all new registrations of Aircraft Mechanic apprentices by the Air Craft Industry. This will include apprentices spending a continuous period of 35 weeks in the Dublin Institute of Technology in respect of phase 4 of the apprenticeship programme. This phase 4 is an amalgamation of phases 4 and 6 under the previous system. No apprentice will pay more than the Annual Student Contribution payable by a full time student attending for a full academic year, currently €2,500 but rising to €2,750 for 2014/2015 and €3,000 in 2015/2016. It should be noted that the contribution payable will replace two separate pro-rata contributions payable for the existing phases 4 and 6.