Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
288. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding supports are available for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47075/23]
View answerThere are a broad range of measures intended to support and facilitate apprentice progression to a successful conclusion. These are broad measures available to all, as well as some targeted interventions intended to provide additional support to groups who may experience particular barriers and challenges in accessing and completing their apprenticeship programmes.
While attending off-the-job training, craft apprentices are paid a training allowance appropriate to their training phase. In addition to training allowances, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology, or a Technological University are entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
The Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme is funded under the Dormant Accounts Fund scheme. The programme is aimed at both increased uptake of and retention on apprenticeships. It is run through the Irish Traveller Movement, and is supported by Pavee Point, the National Apprenticeship Alliance sub-committee on Access & Inclusion, and by the National Apprenticeship Office.
The Programme is structured across three streams:
• Stream 1 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 Travellers who are employed as new apprentices and €2,000 incentive payment each for their employers.
• Stream 2 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 existing Traveller apprentices.
• Stream 3 - €3,000 bursary each for 20 Travellers to access pre-apprenticeship and Access to Apprenticeship programmes.
Regarding support for apprentices with disabilities, information is sought at the point of registration on any additional supports that may be needed. Education and training providers offer learning and other supports to apprentices during their training and many employers also provide accommodations in the workplace to apprentices with disabilities. Approximately 3% of the apprentice population have declared one or more disabilities, and are receiving additional supports. A majority of these identified themselves as having dyslexia or other disabilities related to learning.
Through Budget 2024, I am providing increased funding of €400,000 for a bursary for apprentices from under-represented groups. It is proposed that the funding will support apprenticeship learners in all ETBs and at TUS Limerick and Athlone, MTU, ATU Galway and TU Dublin.
More broadly, I recognise the impact that the cost of living is having on our apprentices. This is why I am particularly targeting funding of €3.8m to enable a one-third reduction in the Apprenticeship Student Contribution Fee for those attending higher education institutions in the 2023/24 academic year. This is targeted at relieving the immediate pressure associated with making this payment. It is anticipated that circa 11,000 apprentices in higher education will benefit from this measure.
As employees, apprentices who find themselves in difficulty are correspondingly entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. I would also advise any apprentice to discuss the matter with their Authorised Officer who may be in a position to provide guidance.
I am satisfied that these measures and the implementation process for the Action Plan for Apprenticeship overall will have a significant impact in ensuring greater diversity in the apprenticeship population as a whole.
