Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1141. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the minimum rate an apprentice can be paid; the lowest rate an apprentice is currently being paid; the average wages for each industry in which apprentices are trained for each year of their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14937/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprentices are excluded from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. The rates of pay for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes are agreed by the partners within the relevant sector, or are set out in Sectoral Employment Orders (Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector). Rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. Payment is also based on attainment of relevant skill, knowledge and competence achieved after successfully completing each phase of training.
In the case of the 35 consortia-led apprenticeships the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer.
