Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
87 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the introduction of fees for apprentices who attend institutes of technology for two phases of their apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5191/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFÁS apprentices are not charged any tuition fees in respect of their apprenticeship training in the institutes of technology. In 2003, I received requests from several governing bodies of institutes of technology for approval to apply the student service charge to defray the costs of registration, examinations and student services, to students enrolled on FÁS apprenticeship courses. The institutes argued that a pro rata charge should be levied on apprentices on the basis that they avail of the full range of services provided to students in the institutes. The institutes considered it inequitable to levy the charge on full-time students only as thereby full-time students were effectively subsidising apprentices through their contributions toward the cost of providing student services.
Following consideration of the case made by the institutes of technology decided to approve the introduction of a pro rata student services charge for FÁS apprentices from January 2004. I understand that the institutes have now informed all apprentices of the introduction of the student service charge and that collection of the charge is currently in train.
