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Apprenticeship Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019

Thursday, 24 October 2019

Ceisteanna (108, 109, 110)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

108. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of creating and supporting each apprenticeship place with reference to the sector in which the apprenticeship is. [44025/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

109. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department meets the cost of third level study for apprentices enrolled in a relevant apprenticeship. [44026/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

110. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of enrolling a person in a QQI level 5, 6 and 7 apprenticeship, respectively. [44027/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.

The Higher Education Authority meets the cost of providing off-the-job training for apprentices in higher education institutions, with the apprentices themselves paying the Annual Student Contribution (ASC).

The ASC charged to craft apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in higher education institutions during the academic year. For craft apprenticeships, this cost would typically be one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the institution. Pro rata amounts are also charged to apprentices on new apprenticeship programmes that include a period in a higher education institution. These amounts vary based on the time spent in the institution.

The total estimated annual cost per apprentice in craft apprenticeships, which span the construction, engineering, electrical and motor mechanics sectors is €7,159. This figure comes from the recently published Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Spending Review of Apprenticeships.

The review also provides an average annual cost of €9,877 for new apprenticeships but as this figure includes the development costs for these new programmes, it somewhat overstates the true ongoing cost of providing new apprenticeship places. Due to the majority of these programmes only coming into operation in recent years and the overall population being relatively low there is insufficient information to derive a reliable average cost, however this will be kept under review as greater numbers come on stream. The new apprenticeships span a wide range of sectors, including biopharma, finance, hairdressing, hospitality and food and ICT.

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