Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
111. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the rates of pay for turner fitter engineer apprentices, which are currently the lowest paid apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, apprenticeship is undertaken under a contract of employment and for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
For turner fitter engineer apprentices specifically, or Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting apprentices as they are more commonly known, the former approach applies. On that basis any review of those rates currently payable is a matter for negotiation and agreement under the appropriate industrial relations structures in place.
It is important to note that, while rates do vary between occupations and sectors, in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of a qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. Periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund with payments of the agreed rate made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards during this time.
The Deputy will understand that it would not be appropriate for me to be involved in the determination of apprenticeship pay rates, nor in my roles as Minister would I have any legal authority to do so.
