I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 and 450 together.
It is estimated that the cost of training an apprentice in one of the existing craft apprenticeships is approximately €6,700 per annum while the estimated cost of training an apprentice in one of the new apprenticeships is approximately €6,300 per annum.
The figure of €6,500 per annum quoted in question 303 of the 2 May is an average of both these figures. This figure may be subject to further refinement as greater numbers of new apprenticeships come into operation.