Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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423. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of abolishing apprenticeship fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28051/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to note that there are no fees for undertaking a national apprenticeship programme.

A student contribution fee is paid by all students, including apprentices, when attending Higher Education Institutions. A once-off reduction of up to 33% of this fee as a part of a cost-of-living package for students was announced in Budgets 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I remain committed to easing the financial burden on students and families in accessing education and training. In advance of Budget 2026, and as my Department did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out the various possible measures to address the cost of education in a financially sustainable way.

This will include options in relation to potential adjustments to the apprentice student contribution when attending higher education institutions. I will have regard to the various options considered in the paper in the context of the Estimates process.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a tool grant scheme for all craft apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28052/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Government supports craft apprentices through the provision of a state training allowance during each phase of off-the-job training. On average, a training allowance of €5,000 is provided to assist in off-the-job training, depending on industry and phase. An apprentice is paid every two weeks when they are on off-the-job training. This is based on the wage norms set out for that industry.

SOLAS provides a list of tools and other equipment required, which also indicates the tool type, standard and quality required, for each craft. As prices are subject to the quantities required and to the procurement processes of the provider, or direct purchase by the apprentice, it is not possible to estimate such costs.

Targeted financial supports are also available to supplement State allowances and to encourage underrepresented groups into apprenticeship programmes.

Under the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme members of the community can avail of a €3,000 bursary to support them with the cost of training.

The Access to Apprenticeship programme was established to support persons from disadvantaged backgrounds. This bursary allows learners to apply to the National Apprenticeship Office for a €3,000 bursary to support living costs including travel, accommodation and materials.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of doubling the travel and accommodation allowance for apprentices when attending off- the-job-training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28053/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Information to inform a response to the Deputy's question been requested from the relevant agency. I will be back to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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426. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of introducing a minimum allowance, minimum wage rate, for apprentices during off-the-job-training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28054/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of moving to a unitary apprenticeship system based on the craft model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28060/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 430 together.

For apprenticeship programmes developed before 2016, or “craft” apprenticeships, there are long-standing industrial relations mechanisms for determining pay where collective bargaining between industry and employee representatives determines rates. In the construction industry these rates are underpinned by a sectoral employment order. These arrangements cover most sectors where craft apprenticeships are available. Neither SOLAS nor my department are involved in the setting of wages for craftspersons.

When craft apprentices attend “off-the-job” training in Education and Training Board or Higher Education facilities they receive a fortnightly State paid training allowance. This is not a wage and there is no contract of employment between SOLAS and the apprentice. The State training allowance is aligned to gross wage norms for the industry in which the apprentice is employed and to the phase or year of training the apprentice is in.

For apprenticeship programmes developed after 2016, or consortia-led apprenticeships, being 52 of the overall 77 apprenticeship programmes, wages are set between the employer and the apprentice when the apprentice is taken on and terms and conditions including pay are set out in an employment contract. As there is currently no collective bargaining mechanism for determining gross wage norms for apprentices on consortia-led apprenticeships, it is not possible to estimate the cost of extending training allowances for off-the-job training to this cohort.