Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
117. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the decision to change the funding model for apprentices before the review of the Irish apprenticeship training model which he has initiated has been completed. [50112/13]
View answerAs part of Budget 2014, it was decided that FÁS would cease the payment of part of the Annual Student Contribution on behalf of apprentices attending the Institutes of Technology as part of the Apprenticeship Programme. This Budget is independent of the review of the broader funding arrangements for apprenticeship by the Apprenticeship Review Group, but is intended to specifically address the payment of the Annual Student Contribution. This is a contribution charged on all students and apprentices. All apprentices are waged and they will now pay the same contribution as other students, apportioned for the time they spend in the Institutes.
