Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of apprentices that have experienced delays in getting paid off the job allowances after starting training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27950/22]
View answerOfficials in my Department have engaged with colleagues in Education Shared Business Services (ESBS). ESBS has advised that all apprentice payments are made in accordance with the Payment Processing Calendars.
This list of fortnightly payment dates can be accessed directly by apprentices via the SOLAS Generation Apprenticeship website, specifically at: apprenticeship.ie/news-events/news/off-the-job-training-payments-allowances-for-craft-apprentices.
The generation of payments to apprentices is reliant on the successful completion of a number of detailed processes between partners, with all deadlines outlined in the Payment Processing Calendars. All queries received from ETBs in relation to payments are tracked until they are fully resolved. Whilst officials in the Department of Education (under which ESBS operates) are not aware of many delays in apprentice payments, they are available to investigate specific queries and can be contacted directly at: support@appsandotherlearners.freshdesk.com.
In addition, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for ETBs and a Query Resolution document is available to ETBs. This document is updated regularly, with the most recent version published in November 2021. It outlines in more detail the processes in place from when an apprentice is first placed on the SOLAS registration system to when they are paid on the payment system, together with a number of FAQ.
