Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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628. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether the 33% reduction in the craft apprentices student contribution charge is a once-off, and not on top of the reduction in the last budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39999/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In both 2023 and 2024, a 33% reduction in the student contribution was provided for apprentices registering in higher education. In each of those years this measure cost €3.8 million and it is estimated that it benefitted over 11,000 apprentices.

In Budget 2025, a once off 33% reduction to the student contribution has been provided for apprentices. The cost of the measure will be some €4.7 million and will benefit an estimated 14,000 apprentices attending higher education institutes.?

This Government is committed to grow apprenticeship and my Department secured a significant investment of €77.4m into the apprenticeship system in Budget 2025.This represents the single largest investment in core apprenticeship funding since the formation of my Department in 2020 and, since then, investment in apprenticeship has increased by 83%.