Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1165, 1166)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of travel and accommodation supports for both craft and post-2016 apprentices; the expenditure in this regard; the number of recipients; the average amount allocated; the criteria used for allocating support; the way in which it compares to the real cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15716/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1166. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the draw on the NTF or cost to the Exchequer of increasing funding allocated to travel and accommodation support for apprentices by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15717/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1165 and 1166 together.

Craft apprentices attending off-the-job training in an ETB, IoT or TU are eligible for either accommodation or travel allowances, depending on the distance from the apprentices home to the site of off-the-job training.  These allowances are payable to relevant trainees on further education and training courses and are not exclusive to apprentices.   The detailed information requested by the deputy is being collated and will be forwarded once available.

For apprentices registered on consortia-led programmes, the payment of travel and/or accommodation allowances is dependent on the apprentices contract with their employer.  There is no cost to the exchequer for these payments.