Written Answers Nos. 1330-1349
1330. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the pension review of a person (details supplied) within his Department; if he will provide clarity on this matter; if he will note that there has not been an update given to this person since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunications between my officials and the Higher Education Institution are on-going in the case raised by the Deputy. My officials will request the HEI to update the individual concerned.
1331. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the next phase of training will commence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If you do not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.
1332. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will consider introducing a weekly payment for those in the first year of their apprenticeship programme in addition to the amount that they receive from their employer in order to encourage the uptake of apprenticeships and discourage persons from dropping out early in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprentices are primarily employees and all of the 66 apprenticeship programmes are subject to contracts of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements of the programme.
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.
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. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to be involved in the determination of apprenticeship pay or training rates.
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.
In relation to your specific question, Periods of off-the-job training for craft apprentices are funded from the National Training Fund with payments of the agreed rate made directly to apprentices by the education and training boards during this time.
Additionally, it should be noted that as employees, eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. This option is open to any employee, apprentice or not, who finds themselves in difficulty.
There are also allowances paid to craft apprentices such as travel, accommodation, and meal allowances. A copy of the current rates for these allowances are attached. These allowances are being examining in the context of the upcoming Estimates process.
Apprenticeship Travel and Accommodation Allowance
Accommodation Allowance – Allowance Rate
|
Daily Rate |
Weekly Rate |
|
|
Maximum Rate Payable |
€13.98 |
€69.90 |
|
Meal Allowance |
0.80c |
€4.00 |
Please note: If an apprentice is in receipt of an accommodation allowance, travel allowances are not payable
Travel Allowances
The payment of travel allowances for apprentices is based on the location of the apprentice’s residency for the duration of the programme and not on the location of the apprentice’s workplace location.
Apprentice Travel Allowance
|
Miles |
Kilometres |
Applicable Rate |
|
03 - 05 miles |
05 - 08 kilometres |
€4.60 |
|
05 - 10 miles |
08 - 16 kilometres |
€11.90 |
|
10 - 20 miles |
16 - 32 kilometres |
€17.60 |
|
20 - 30 miles |
32 - 48 kilometres |
€21.60 |
|
30 - 40 miles |
48 - 64 kilometres |
€27.70 |
|
40 + miles |
64+ kilometres |
€32.60 |
Please note: If an apprentice is in receipt of a travel allowances, accommodation allowances are not payable
1333. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to increase the supply of cardiac physiologist graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a key priority. My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
My Department has been engaging with the Department of Health on the number of places available in areas where the HSE has identified significant skills shortages. The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
I will ensure that there is continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
1334. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that he has had with the Minister for Education on the matter of school transport since June 2022; and if he will publish any correspondence shared with the Minister for Education on same. [43357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister for Education Norma Foley TD brought a memo to Government regarding Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level for the 2022/2023 school year on 20/07/2022.
These measures were discussed and approved at Cabinet level.
1335. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount that his Department has spent on advertising on social media in 2021 and to date in 2022; the amount spent per platform; and the campaigns per platform in tabular form. [43376/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has spent €17,126.90 on social media advertising in 2021 and to date in 2022.
|
Platform |
Amount (€) |
Campaigns |
|
|
4184.08 |
The Right Course; COVID-19 awareness; Student Grant Scheme changes in Budget 2022 |
|
Snapchat |
2710.24 |
COVID-19 awareness; Student Grant Scheme changes in Budget 2022 |
|
Facebook/ Instagram |
9494.58 |
The Right Course; COVID-19 awareness; Student Grant Scheme changes in Budget 2022 |
|
TikTok |
738.00 |
Student Grant Scheme changes in Budget 2022 |
|
Total |
17126.9 |
|
1336. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will advise on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a comprehensive body of employment legislation, in respect of which the Workplace Relations Commission is mandated to secure compliance. Employment rights legislation protects all employees, including apprentices, who are legally employed on a contract of service basis.
Where an individual believes they are being deprived of employment rights applicable to employees they may refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision that is enforceable through the District Court. WRC inspectors can also be asked to investigate certain breaches. Complaints can be made on a single online complaint form available at the WRC’s website www.workplacerelations.ie.
The Workplace Relations Customer Service Section can be contacted at Lo-call: 0818 80 80 90 or via its website www.workplacerelations.ie.
Generally, apprentices who are employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship are entitled to the same employment rights protection as all other employees employed under a contract of service. However, there are a few exceptions in relation to apprentices:
- In the case of statutory apprentices, the Unfair Dismissals Acts do not apply if the dismissal takes place within six months after the commencement of the apprenticeship or within one month after the completion of the apprenticeship. (Section 4 of the UD Act)
- An employer of an apprentice is not obliged to pay a redundancy lump sum under the Redundancy Payments Acts if the dismissal takes place within one month after the completion of the apprenticeship. (Section 7(4) of the RP Act)
- Apprenticeships are excluded from the remit of the National Minimum Wage.
Notwithstanding this it is important to note that it is a central principle of the apprenticeship system in Ireland that both apprentices and their employers are assured of a high-quality apprenticeship experience leading to recognised awards. There are a number of processes in place to support this, underpinned by statute under the Industrial Training Act 1967 and the Quality Assurance and Qualifications Act 2012, including:
- ‘The Apprenticeship Code of Practice’, published by SOLAS, covers the key obligations of employers and apprentices participating in apprenticeship. Employers are required to sign up to this code prior to engaging apprentices. Companies seeking to recruit apprentices are also required to undertake the SOLAS ‘Suitability to Train Assessment’ prior to being admitted onto the register of approved employers.
- The network of Authorised Officers (AOs) of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), working on behalf of SOLAS, continually engage with employers and individual apprentices throughout their apprenticeship programme, ensuring adherence to the Code of Practice as well as providing ongoing supports.
- All SOLAS approved training organisations and tutors are subject to independent scheduled process monitoring and/or unscheduled assessment event monitoring to ensure adherence with both Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accreditation and SOLAS requirements.
- A comprehensive quality assurance process for apprenticeships covers the quality of delivery on and off the job training and is overseen by QQI through co-ordinating providers.
- The employer is the provider of ‘on-the-job’ elements of the Apprenticeship Programme and is responsible for apprentice direction, observation, supervision, and, if applicable, assessment. Employers are required to:
- Ensure that the apprentice is released to attend the mandatory apprenticeship induction presentation.
- Release the apprentice for the off-the-job training elements of the Apprenticeship Programme on the dates and to the location as notified.
- Regularly communicate with the apprentice and his/her workplace mentor and/or assessor/verifier to monitor how the apprentice is progressing.
- Be proactive in reviewing the apprentice's progress and provide support, advice and encouragement to the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship.
- The trade union movement are also an integral part of the delivery of the apprenticeship system in Ireland. This is achieved through membership of the National Apprenticeship Alliance.
I would advise your constituent to engage further with his Authorised Officer in his local Educational and Training Board to ascertain whether any further steps can be taken in light of the above or if the situation can be resolved.
In relation to securing employment with another plumbing company, again his Authorised Officer would be the best person to discuss this matter with. They would be best placed to give advice on how to secure an alternate employer and ensure a successful outcome and may hold details of local employers with positions vacant. Contact details for all ETB’s can be found here www.etbi.ie/etbs/directory-of-etbs.
Positions with SOLAS-approved employers who are currently seeking to hire apprentices are also regularly advertised on www.apprenticeship.ie.
It is important to note that apprentices are primarily employees and as such, eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. Further details can be found at gov.ie - Department of Social Protection (www.gov.ie) or from his local Intreo Office.
1338. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if following the recent meeting between officials of his Department and a charity (details supplied) he will consider increasing funding for the charity given the eleven-fold increase in the number of clients since the initial funding was awarded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charity referred to by the Deputy is one of six Special Disadvantage Initiatives my Department provides funding to. The charity's funding allocation for 2022 is €49,000.
Officials from my Department recently met with the Directors of the charity referred to by the Deputy to discuss a funding request. My Department encourages all Special Disadvantage Initiatives to work closely with other education partners in their region and to this end we are aware that the charity referred to by the Deputy have also received funding under monies my department has allocated under programmes such as Programme for Access To Higher Education (PATH) and under the Covid Contingency fund through their links with higher education institutions in the region. We have also arranged for contact to be made between the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the charity to ascertain if funding is available through one of that department's schemes.
I view the activities that the charity undertakes very positively. Officials from my department will continue to liaise with them as they continue their valuable role in the community.
1339. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details on the total amounts of monies awarded to Louth County Council by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will seek details on the total monies drawn down and spent by Louth County Council over the same years in tabular form, and if not spent, the total monies that were returned to his Department respectively over the same years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was formed in August 2020. Since formation, the Department has not awarded any monies to Louth County Council.
Prior to the transfer of functions, the following payments relating to further education student contribution and maintenance awards, were made by the Department of Education and Skills to Louth County Council. All new applications for student grants are processed via SUSI and not local authorities.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
€66,216.00 |
€21,965.89 |
Nil |
€3,000.00 |
1340. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science following the emergency response put in place to increase the intake of plumbing, carpentry, joinery and electrical apprentices the training centres that took on emergency response proposals; the trades that they took on; if he will confirm the number of new instructors that were taken on and which trades they covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are employer led demand driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employers in any area or sector.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners, to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations across a wide range of programmes by 2025.
Meeting these targets requires a responsive apprenticeship system that provides a strong value proposition for employers and potential apprentices, is attractive and easy to engage with, and which delivers high standards and sought after qualifications.
We have made important progress to date. Last year saw a record 8,607 registrations. This is an increase of nearly 40% compared to 2019, the last “normal” year. This is a strong foundation on which to build as we advance delivery of the Action Plan, in order to embed apprenticeship as a preferred route to skills development.
Regarding the development of apprenticeship and upskilling educational and or retraining facilities:
- Capital funding of €20m was provided in 2020 to extend and upgrade facilities.
- Further funding of €17m has been provided to SOLAS and the HEA to address Covid-related backlogs, €6 million of which is being invested in additional instructors, with over 100 additional posts approved
- To ensure that there is capacity to meet the training needs of rapidly increasing numbers of apprentices, expansion of the apprenticeship system is continuing in 2022, with further major investment in workshops and staff is planned for this year.
Specifically, the funding includes:
- The development of two large training hubs dedicated to electrical training for the next three years;
- Expansion of electrical, plumbing, and carpentry programmes across further and higher education;
- The construction of electrical workshops at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and the development of a training facility in Donegal;
- A call for additional phase 2 capacity in craft programmes that include carpentry, plumbing and refrigeration Expansion of electrical apprenticeships in ATU Donegal and MTU Kerry.
I am confident that these measures will contribute to the further development of the apprenticeship system, so that it continues to make a valued contribution to our skills response.
Regarding the deputy’s specific data requests in relation to the training centres that took on emergency response proposals; the trades that they took on, the number of new instructors that were taken on and which trades they covered; a detailed account of this information has been requested from SOLAS and will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1341. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has reviewed the number of nursing places available in Ireland; if there are plans to increase the number of places due to the need for more nurses in Irish hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43587/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services, including nursing.
Additional places on nursing programmes have been secured for this academic year. Officials in my department continue to engage with the Higher Education Authority and representatives from the higher education sector on the provision of additional places in the tertiary education sector, with a focus on areas such as healthcare, where there is a need for more skilled graduates. However there are real, material limits on the immediate increases that can be accommodated on highly practical courses such as nursing courses which involve clinical placements.
In the longer term, the Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
1342. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase PhD stipends annually to take account of inflation given the cost-of-living problems experienced by these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43640/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStipends are frequently a feature of funding globally, providing an income to the awardee in recognition of the need to devote themselves on a full-time basis to their research.
My Department is monitoring the issue of stipends, in the context of the resources available and the competing needs to which they can be allocated. In that regard, I allocated additional funding to the IRC in 2021 to enable it to increase postgraduate scholarship by €2,500 per annum, or 16%. This was made effective from 1 January 2021 and, together with an increase to funding for postdoctoral salaries, benefited close to 1,300 early-career researchers in the system. The move also aligned the stipend level for the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
I am examining a range of options to support students in this year’s Budget, including PhD students.
Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy prioritises the nurturing and development of talent and excellence to build on Ireland’s reputation as an Island of Talent and a location for research excellence and impact. The strategy recognises that the quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system, its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad. The strategy also highlights the need to foster an environment within the research and innovation community that supports our ambition to be an Island of Inclusion and Engagement.
1344. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated surplus in the National Training Fund for 2022, based on revenue received and projected expenditure; the total surplus in 2021; the total accumulated reserve; the projected surplus for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43753/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe closing balance in the National Training Fund at the end of 2021 was €1.1 billion. The estimated income and expenditure for the Fund, as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2022, are €854.74 million and €765.07 million respectively, giving an estimated surplus of €88.67 million in 2022. This will increase the accumulated surplus to some €1.2 billion at the end of 2022. The projected surplus for 2023 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2023.
1345. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main areas of expenditure funded by the National Training Fund in 2022; the organisations which received funding in 2022; if the Higher Education Authority receives funding from the NTF; if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1347. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm whether legislation would be required for funding from the National Training Fund to be provided to third-level institutions through the Higher Education Authority and the recurrent grant allocation model to fund day-to-day expenditure through the block grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1345 and 1347 together.
The National Training Fund (NTF) established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, is a dedicated fund to support the training of those in employment and those seeking employment. The Act also provides for the funding of research to provide information on existing and likely future skills requirements of the economy. Funding from the NTF is allocated by my Department with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in accordance with the provisions of the National Training Fund Act, 2000.
The organisations receiving funding from the NTF in 2022 include SOLAS, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Skillnet Ireland, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, The Wheel, the Institute of Engineers Ireland and the Departments of Social Protection and Enterprise Trade and Employment as well as my own Department. Details of the funding allocated for 2022 and the relevant schemes are set out in the attached table.
In accordance with section 7 of the NTF Act 2000, schemes to raise the skills of those in employment, or to provide training to those who wish to acquire skills for the purposes of taking up employment can be supported by the NTF, as well as schemes to provide information in relation to existing, or likely future, requirements for skills in the economy.
As can be seen from the table, the 2022 allocation for the HEA is some €306 million supporting apprenticeship provision, Springboard, as well as funding innovative approaches through the Human Capital Initiative and delivering enterprise focused programmes, which are responsive to skills needs. While the allocation under the NTF Enterprise Focused Higher Education provision is included in the overall recurrent grant to the sector as administered via the HEA through the recurrent grant allocation model while the other NTF allocations are not included as part of the recurrent grant to the sector.
The allocation for each scheme under the NTF is generally determined as part of the annual Estimates process with the NTF being included as an annex to the published Estimates of my Department. As the Deputy will appreciate the exact source of funding, whether Exchequer or NTF, is subject to future budget considerations.
|
Programmes for those in Employment |
Organisation |
€m |
|
|
Apprenticeship |
SOLAS |
149.483 |
|
|
HEA |
56.500 |
||
|
Training Networks Programme |
Skillnet Ireland |
47.449 |
|
|
Traineeships |
SOLAS |
2.900 |
|
|
Training Grants to Industry |
IDA Ireland |
3.000 |
|
|
Enterprise Ireland |
3.500 |
||
|
Community & Voluntary Organisations |
The Wheel |
1.140 |
|
|
Employee and Continuing Professional Development |
SOLAS |
23.300 |
|
|
Engineers Ireland |
0.400 |
||
|
Regional Skills Innovation |
DFHERIS/Regional Skills Fora |
0.800 |
|
|
Springboard |
HEA |
31.050 |
|
|
Subtotal |
319.522 |
||
|
Skills acquisition for the purposes of taking up Employment |
|||
|
Training People for Employment |
SOLAS |
194.189 |
|
|
Enterprise Focused Higher Education |
HEA |
148.352 |
|
|
Springboard |
HEA |
10.388 |
|
|
Training Networks Programme |
Skillnet Ireland |
5.449 |
|
|
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) |
DFHERIS |
0.050 |
|
|
Technical Employment Support Grant |
DSP |
2.500 |
|
|
Community Employment Training |
DSP |
4.200 |
|
|
Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) |
DSP |
17.300 |
|
|
Human Capital Initiative |
HEA |
60.000 |
|
|
Subtotal |
442.428 |
||
|
Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
|||
|
SLMRU |
SOLAS |
0.630 |
|
|
EGFSN |
DETE |
0.557 |
|
|
Regional Skills and Research |
DFHERIS |
1.886 |
|
|
Subtotal |
3.073 |
||
|
Total |
765.023 |
1346. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated additional yield to the National Training Fund from a 0.1% increase in the NTF levy in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43755/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding from the National Training Fund (NTF) is allocated by my Department with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in accordance with the provisions of the National Training Fund Act, 2000.
The NTF levy is collected by the Revenue Commissioners as part of the PRSI collection system. The funds collected are included in the transfer of gross PRSI from the Revenue Commissioners to the Social Insurance Fund of the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Each year DSP undertakes an apportionment exercise to analyse PRSI collection data and to apportion funds to the Social Insurance Fund; the Health Levy and the NTF.
The 2022 published Revised Estimate for the NTF forecasts income in 2022 to be €851.24 million. An increase of 0.1% of the levy in 2023 would yield €0.851 million additional income for the fund, bringing the fund to €852.09 million.
It should be noted that the last increase to the national training fund levy was 0.1% in 2020 bring the rate to 1%.
1348. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that he is taking under active consideration regarding the reduction of the student contribution charge. [43767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5th of September, in advance of the Budget, I published, for the first time, a costs of education paper which will set out the possible policy options, and their indicative costs, to aid public discussion on how we should prioritise any interventions to address costs of education. The paper “Funding the Future, an annual options paper on reducing the cost of higher education can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/28c9d-funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-reducing-the-cost-of-higher-education/.
This paper is another step in deepening my commitment to the progressive consideration and implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, within the overall context of Government policy towards costs of living and other relevant strategies including those related to access and participation in education.
I have already taken a number of significant steps in this regard, including major changes to the SUSI student support scheme and the elimination of participation fees for PLC courses from this September.
With this in mind, it is important to highlight the very substantial financial support, currently well in excess of half a billion euro, provided by the taxpayer towards tuition fees and the student contribution for students in higher education. This comprises State funding of tuition costs amounting to €357m per annum for 146,000 eligible higher education students and €190m paid by the Exchequer under the Student Grant Scheme in respect of all or some of the €3,000 student contribution which benefits over 65,000 eligible students.
It is important to recognise that the overall funding provided by the student contribution, which is shared between the students and families and the State, is a significant element of the income of our higher education institutions. The student contribution rate therefore requires consideration not just in the context of costs of education for families but also in terms of implications for the sustainable model of funding higher education.
I have, however, been clear and consistent in stating that I believe the value of the student contribution share, as paid by students and families compared to the states contribution, is too high and that a priority for me in the forthcoming Estimates process will be to seek a reduction for student and families with an increase in the funding provided by the state, particularly in the context of the cost of living challenges being experienced by families.
My policy position in this regard was articulated in Funding our Future, the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future funding of higher education. Sustainable funding for the sector and measures to address the cost of education must proceed in tandem if we are to meet our ambition of improved outcomes for learners and the system as a whole.
As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society. Unfortunately at this time it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome or funding for student support measures in advance of Government's Budget 2023 announcement on 27th September.
1349. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will remove the need for apprenticeship registration fees in Budget 2023. [43768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis, according to the time, which they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution required from the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT. In the case of consortia-led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as off-the-job training has a more flexible structure, ranging from periods of block release to one day per week or remote learning options.
Across both craft and consortia led apprenticeships, based on latest figures, if the ASC was removed, with the apprentice paying examination fees only, then the cost to the State is estimated at an average €267 per apprentice per annum.
The 2021 year-end population of craft apprentices was 20,956 representing a potential annual cost to the Exchequer of €5.6m, and 3,256 consortia-led apprentices representing a potential annual cost to the Exchequer of €0.87m.
On 5 September, I published “Funding the Future, an annual options paper on reducing the cost of higher education”.
This paper is a non-exhaustive list of options to be considered in advance of Budget 2023 and was published without prejudice to eventual Government Budget decisions.
The options contained in this paper are intended to identify the cost of different measures, such as the costs associated with reducing the student contribution.
The paper can be found here www.gov.ie/en/publication/28c9d-funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-reducing-the-cost-of-higher-education/.
