Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason young persons attending courses in carpentry, plumbing and so on in institutes of technology are being forced to pay fees for examinations and materials, which they simply cannot afford to pay; her views that this will prevent many young persons from gaining qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46644/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The apprenticeship training programme is delivered jointly by FÁS and the Institutes of Technology who have responsibility for delivering Phases 4 and 6 of the programme. Apprentices in employment receive a training allowance payable by FÁS for the duration of time they are studying in an Institute of Technology.

Since 2004 a pro rata student services charge has been levied on apprentices attending Phases 4 and 6 of their apprenticeship programme in the Institutes of Technology. This is equivalent to one third of the standard annual student services charge. FÁS meets approx 70% of this charge on behalf of the apprentice and the balance which covers examination fees is payable by the apprentice directly to the Institute of Technology.

In line with standard practice, an Institute of Technology may, at its sole discretion, waive the requirement to pay the examination fee, where, through its existing hardship assessment procedures, or otherwise, forms the opinion that there is a case to waive the fee.