Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1319. 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 and examination fees for all apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19368/21]
View answer1320. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices by craft and new; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19369/21]
View answer1345. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to cover the pro rata student contribution for students enrolled in apprenticeships within higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20661/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1319, 1320 and 1345 together.
An Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution required from 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 consortia-led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as off-the-job training has a more flexible structure, ranging from periods of block release to one day per week or remote learning options.
If the ASC was removed, with the apprentice paying examination fees only, then the cost to the State is estimated at an average €267 per apprentice per annum. Based on a current population of almost 20,000 registered apprentices, the estimated cost is €5.3M per annum.
The total number of registered apprentices as of the end of February 2021 is:
Craft programmes: 17,408
Consortia-led programmes: 2,566
