Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2021
114. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total allocated each year under the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme since it began; the total actual expenditure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60712/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme was launched in 2020 to support employers to continue to recruit and employ apprentices during the COVID-19 period. Apprenticeship provides a rapid route to employment while gaining a qualification and therefore is an important skills response for workers most impacted by sectoral closures and a potential need to reskill.
The introduction of the scheme was a key element in the Government response to the pandemic and supporting a rapid reopening of the economy. The positive impacts of the support measures is evident in apprentice registrations with 2021 figures to the end of November showing 7,484 registrations – an increase of 29% on figures for the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID).
Given the continued growth of apprenticeship and key economic sectors the AIS will cease from end 2021. The allocation for the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme over 2020 and 2021 was €26 million. Spend has been €13.6 million. A further €1.7m is in final stages of approval for payment. €9m has been allocated to the scheme for 2022 to allow for second tranche payments and payments to employers of apprentices registered in late 2021.
