Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1264. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated of cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39873/21]
View answerAn 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 21,500 registered apprentices, the estimated cost is €5.7m per annum. An estimated 50% reduction in the ASC to apprentices would cost an estimated €2.85m and a 20% reduction in the ASC to apprentices would cost an estimated €1.14m per annum.
