Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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2733. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the revenue raised from apprenticeship fees, including pro-rata registration fees, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Apprentices are not charged a fee to take up an apprenticeship programme.

When attending Higher Education Institutions, a student contribution is paid by all students, including apprentices. In Budgets 2023 and 2024, a once-off reduction of 33% of this contribution as part of a cost-of-living package for students was announced. The measure cost €3.8 million in both years and was estimated to benefit over 11,000 apprentices. Budget 2025 saw the same once-off 33% reduction, this supported an estimated 14,000 apprentices at a cost of €4.7 million.

The student contribution paid by apprentices for the academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24 is provided below.

I hosted a cost of education event on 3 April 2025 to better inform the decisions on this issue and to hear from stakeholders. This event was attended by apprentices, students, representatives of the student population, access officers, student services employees, people who work with students on a day-to-day basis, organisations who advocate for underrepresented students in education and policy makers. The event served as an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.

I will publish an options paper shortly. This will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education including for apprentices. The paper will inform decisions ahead of Budget 2026.

I remain committed to easing the financial burden on apprentices, students and families to access education in a financially sustainable way.