Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 April 2019
114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to offer a higher rate of remuneration for persons aged 25 years of age and over who are pursuing apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15515/19]
View answerIn order to be eligible to undertake an apprenticeship an applicant must be employed by a SOLAS approved employer and be at least 16 years of age. In the case of craft apprenticeships, throughout the on-the-job training phases apprentices are paid the normal apprentice wage rate by their employer. The rates of pay for qualified craft workers are agreed between employer bodies and unions. Rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. The Government has no role in this process. Training allowances paid during off-the-job phases reflect the rates paid by employers on the job.
There are no plans to offer a higher rate of remuneration for persons aged 25 years of age and over who are pursuing apprenticeships.
