Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
546. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider moving the apprentice allowance to be paid on a weekly basis in order to more closely align with standard pay practices in the trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have engaged with colleagues in Education Shared Business Services (ESBS), which operates under the remit of the Department of Education. ESBS has advised that the Department of Education was required to implement a payroll system which was fully compliant with Revenue requirements early in 2020. The Department used a newly developed shared payroll solution for ETBs as the basis for the new standardised fortnightly payments system for Apprentices. This was the only practical solution to meet the exacting timeframe and to ensure high-quality service provision to both apprentices and ETB staff.
