Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to allow for students on apprenticeships to do the college segments of their programme in the nearest college to their home as possible (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2340/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Apprenticeships are national programmes. As far as possible, SOLAS schedule apprentices as soon as possible to their off the job training and at the nearest available training location relative to their home location. If a placement is not available near an apprentice’s home location, they will be called to the next nearest available location.

A craft apprentice may decline a scheduled placement up to three times, after which they are returned to the National Waiting List for future scheduling. An apprentice can arrange this by contacting their designated Training Advisor.

It is important to note that it is not possible for all apprenticeship programmes to be available in every ETB or Technical University. Apprentices are made aware during their induction period that there is potential for them to be called to other counties for training. Once registered in their Employer Region, apprentices are assigned a Training Advisor at that region's Education and Training Board (ETB). The Training Advisor remains their point of guidance and support, throughout their apprenticeship.

The Rent A Room Relief Scheme can provide full or part-time students (including apprentices) with accommodation during their college segments of their programme. The scheme permits shorter term residential accommodation including accommodation for full or part-time student and those availing of four day-a-week “digs” accommodation. Householders participating in the scheme can earn up to €14,000 per annum without incurring a tax liability.

Where a craft apprentice is travelling out of their home region, an accommodation allowance is made available to them. Craft apprentices are also entitled to supplementary allowances for travel and meals. Either an accommodation allowance or a travel allowance is payable, but not both.