Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
335. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost to the Exchequer of abolishing apprenticeship registration fees broken down by consortia-led and craft; the average cost per apprentices broken down by craft and consortia-led apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28789/22]
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, according to 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.
Across both craft and consortia led apprenticeships, based on latest figures, 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.
The 2021 year-end population of craft apprentices was 20,956 representing a potential annual cost to the Exchequer of €5.6m, and 3,256 consortia-led apprentices representing a potential annual cost to the Exchequer of €0.87m.
