Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to refer to the apprenticeship schemes. We spoke about them in the Dáil yesterday and the specific issue of the changes in the fees being charged. I have looked at the figures and worked out that the changes will result in the raising of an additional €1.6 million. Apprentices will now have to pay a pro ratastudent contribution, proportionate to the time spent in institutes of technology, through which the Department will raise an additional €1.6 million. That is a very small amount of money relative to the overall budget. I ask the Minister of State to confirm that the money raised will amount to €1.6 million.