Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the recent engagements he has with Solas and the higher education authority to identify additional solutions to address the large number of apprentices still awaiting off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36746/22]
View answer38. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the number of craft apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training; the steps he is taking to help apprentices with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36793/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 38 together.
More than 8,400 apprentices, over 70% of those delayed by Covid-19, have now progressed with their training. This includes over 700 final year apprentices who were fast-tracked to complete their qualification.
The very welcome sustained growth in apprenticeship registrations has compounded Covid-related pressures on access by craft apprentices to off-the-job training.
Implementation of a major response plan to address the waitlists is well advanced. This includes:
- Capital funding of €20m was provided in 2020 to extend and upgrade facilities.
- Further funding of €17m has been provided to SOLAS and the HEA to address backlogs, €6 million of which is being invested in additional instructors, with over 100 additional posts approved.
- Reform measures were also implemented to help clear the lists, including changed delivery structures for off-the-job training.
Based on the end of May monthly figures (the most up to date figures available) there are 8,481 apprentices waiting to access off the job training.
To ensure that the remainder of the Covid-19 backlog is cleared and the system has the capacity to meet the training needs of rapidly increasing numbers of apprentices, expansion of the apprenticeship system is continuing in 2022. In particular, further major investment in workshops and staff is planned for this year.
Officials in my Department are in continuous engagement with SOLAS, the HEA and other partners on the matter of the backlog and it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training for phases 4 and 6 will be cleared later this year. The majority of phase 2 waiting lists is expected to be on target to be cleared by the end of 2022.
Regarding the recent increases in the cost of living, apprentices are primarily employees and all of the 65 apprenticeships are subject to a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer. On that basis any review of those rates currently payable is a matter for negotiation and agreement under the appropriate industrial relations structures in place and it would not be appropriate for me to be involved in the determination of apprenticeship pay or training rates. However, it is important to note that as employees, eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. This option is open to any employee, apprentice or not, who finds themselves in difficulty. There are allowances paid to apprentices and we are examining these in the context of the upcoming Estimates process.
