Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 March 2022
105. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider abolishing the apprenticeship fee for phase 4 and 6 to help ease the cost of leaving crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17110/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere an apprentice pays an Annual Student Contribution (ASC), the amount of ASC charged is calculated on a pro rata basis, determined by the time which they spend in the institution during any given academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board education centre, there is no contribution required from the apprentice.
The ASC applies to all learners attending a higher education institution.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending the higher education institution for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the Institute of Technology or Technological University.
In the case of consortia-led apprenticeships, the contribution varies for each programme. This reflects the arrangements on those programmes whereby off-the-job training has a more flexible structure, ranging from periods of block release to one day per week or remote learning options.
Regarding the recent increases in the cost of living, the Deputy should note that craft apprentices are eligible for certain allowances during their off-the-job training.
All apprentices are primarily employees and as such, eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports such as the Working Family Payment and other relevant schemes.
