Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
106. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the take-up of the new employer grant for apprenticeships introduced in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12769/22]
View answerThe introduction of an annual employer grant is a significant deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The new Employer Grant is funded in Budget 2022 and will see annual payments to employers of €2,000 per apprentice for those apprenticeships which are not eligible for the payment of off-the-job training allowances. Its introduction means that, for the first time, employers of all apprentices will now have access to some level of financial support, either through direct payment of allowances to apprentices or through the employer grant. The grant is effective from January 2022 with operational arrangements being finalised by the Department and SOLAS.
The grant will be paid for each eligible apprentice for the duration of their apprenticeship with the parent company. This includes apprentices who were registered 2019-2021 and who continue in employment as of 1st January 2022. Two payment points are planned per year; June and December.
Eligible employers do not need to do anything as they will be contacted by the National Apprenticeship Office in May/June and invited to submit their claim online. Further details can be found on www.apprenticeship.ie
New apprenticeships introduced in 2022 and subsequent years will also be included in the grant scheme.
