Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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582. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will remove the registration fee for apprenticeships which in some cases is now €900 and is creating an obstacle to persons undertaking apprenticeships. [13043/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Annual Student Contribution is levied on students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs). The amount due by apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in Institutes of Technology during the academic year.

Since 2004, FÁS/SOLAS has paid over 70% of the Annual Student Contribution due in respect of apprentices, with apprentices themselves paying the part of the contribution relating to examination fees. As part of Budget 2014, SOLAS have ceased making payments to Institutes of Technology and apprentices pay the full pro rata Annual Student Contribution.

I am deeply committed to supporting apprenticeship training in Ireland, both through the renewal of existing apprenticeships and the extension of the apprenticeship model to new areas. I am focused on delivering in accordance with the Apprenticeship Implementation Plan to take forward the recommendations of the recent independent review of apprenticeship training in Ireland.

I believe that apprentices see the value in education and training on the journey to employment and will continue to participate in quality, relevant and well-designed programmes.