Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1167. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of removing the annual student contribution for all apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/21]
View answerAn Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs). The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in IoTs during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution made by the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT. In the case of the new consortia led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as their off-the-job training has a more flexible structure.
If the ASC was removed, with the apprentice paying examination fees only, then the cost to the State is estimated at an average €266.67 per apprentice per annum. Given the current apprentice population the estimated cost is €5.28M per annum.
