Written Answers Nos. 544-553
544. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff in SOLAS tasked with communicating with apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27865/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of staff in SOLAS tasked with communicating with apprentices is presently being compiled. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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.
546. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider moving the apprentice allowance to be paid on a weekly basis in order to more closely align with standard pay practices in the trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/22]
View answerOfficials in my Department have engaged with colleagues in Education Shared Business Services (ESBS), which operates under the remit of the Department of Education. ESBS has advised that the Department of Education was required to implement a payroll system which was fully compliant with Revenue requirements early in 2020. The Department used a newly developed shared payroll solution for ETBs as the basis for the new standardised fortnightly payments system for Apprentices. This was the only practical solution to meet the exacting timeframe and to ensure high-quality service provision to both apprentices and ETB staff.
547. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices in the system with dependents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27952/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to this issue has been requested from SOLAS.
Officials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.
548. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of apprentices in the total construction labour force from 2004 to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27953/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to this issue has been requested from SOLAS.
Officials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.
549. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that his Department has no plans to provide phase four or phase six apprentice training during the summer of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27954/22]
View answerApprenticeship off-the-job training is provided by SOLAS collaborating providers across Further and Higher Education. The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) deliver off-the-job training for Phase 2 continuously throughout the year. With regard to Phases 4 and 6, SOLAS is currently working with colleagues in the HEA regarding provision in 2023
550. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a scheme exists for apprentices in the upholstery industry at present; if so, if he will provide details of same; if not, if this is an area that is being looked at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27955/22]
View answerApprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship response in their sector. There is no apprenticeship for the upholstery industry at present and officials in my Department are not aware of any such apprenticeship in development or being considered.
A defined process and structure for employers to become engaged in the apprenticeship process is in place. It is open to any industry that wishes to explore options for developing an apprenticeship to bring a proposal forward. The SOLAS Guidance Document for Submitting an Initial Proposal for a New National Apprenticeship together with their Handbook on Developing a National Apprenticeship provide an overview of the key features of new apprenticeships, including sectoral engagement and collaboration among enterprises and other stakeholders in the relevant industry. These publications are available on www.apprenticeship.ie.
There are currently 65 apprenticeship programmes on offer: 25 craft programmes and 40 programmes introduced since 2016. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic; Arboriculture, Equipment Systems Engineer, Healthcare Assistant, Principal Engineer – Professional Doctorate, Recruitment Executive, Sales, Scaffolding , Supply Chain Associate.
In recent months, three further programmes have been launched: Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician and Transport Operations & Commercial Driving.
551. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contact details for persons (details supplied) to include their direct Ministerial email address and telephone number. [28013/22]
View answerShould you wish to contact Minister of State Niall Collins, T.D. Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the contact details are as follows.
Email: niall.collins@oireachtas.gov.ie
Leinster House: 01-7002160
Constituency office: 061-300149
Mobile No.: 087-2749659
552. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of properties that are owned by his Department or agencies within the remit of his Department in County Meath. [28067/22]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not own any properties in Co Meath. Neither am I aware of any properties owned either by Agencies under the remit of the Department or by publicly funded higher education institutions in Co Meath.
Louth and Meath ETB (LMETB) falls under the remit of the Department of Education from a governance perspective. However, I can confirm that my Department has not provided funding to LMETB for the acquisition of any properties for further education and training in County Meath.
553. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure all tutors employed by ETBs receive the same pay and conditions for the same workload. [28153/22]
View answerThe 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) employ Tutors to deliver various Adult, Community and Further Education programmes. There are no standard pay arrangements or terms of employment for Tutors. Their pay and terms vary between different ETBs (and can vary within one ETB due to the amalgamation of former Vocational Education Committees into ETBs). Many of the programmes cover part-time education provision and the Tutors are typically employed on a part-time basis.
SIPTU and the TUI have tabled a claim for regularising the terms and conditions of employment for Adult Education Tutors including by establishing a common, sector-wide incremental salary scale for Tutors linked to an existing ETB salary scale.
While progress was made on a number of matters the claim for an incremental pay-scale was referred to the Labour Court which recommended in March 2020 that the official side identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer within those parameters given the constraints applying under FEMPI legislation and the Public Service Stability Agreement in relation to cost-increasing claims. This recommendation was made at the onset of the pandemic and consequently the Department's ability and capacity to develop a full response and engage on the issue was constrained by pressure of work arising from the public health emergency and the establishment of the Department during that period, at which time responsibility for the claim transferred.
As the Department of Education leads negotiations for the ETB sector, my Department is liaising with it and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finalising the official position at the earliest opportunity. An assessment of the costs involved in any alignment to a pay scale is being undertaken as part of this work. Officials met with TUI and SIPTU representatives on 18th May and it was agreed that a Working Group would be established to assist in that work.
Arising from the work of the group, I expect that my Department will in a position make a proposal to staff representatives in the coming weeks with a view to resolving this issue.
