Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
703. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to the Exchequer of a 10% increase in the apprentice travel allowance and accommodation allowance for off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37455/22]
View answer706. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to the Exchequer of providing a minimum allowance for off-the-job training of 294, 336, 378, and 420 respectively for all craft apprentices, increasing all allowance payments below this level while leaving higher allowances at their current rate; the average cost of allowances on a per craft apprentice based on the introduction of these four minimum allowance levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37792/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 703 and 706 together.
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. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
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 is not appropriate for there to be political involvement in these independent structures.
It is important to note that, while rates do vary between occupations and sectors, in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of a qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. Periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund with payments of the agreed rate made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards during this time.
However, it is also 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.
