Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the policy under which an apprentice's training allowance is reduced when their employer rejects college placement offers, even though the apprentice has accepted the placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58348/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the appeals process available to apprentices whose training allowances are reduced in such cases; if he will consider revising the guidelines to ensure apprentices are not financially penalised for circumstances beyond their control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58349/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2114 and 2115 together.

During off-the-job training, apprentices receive a training allowance aligned with their current training phase. To support retention and progression, if there is a significant delay in accessing training due to limited availability of apprenticeship places, apprentices are paid the allowance for the next higher phase. Apprentices are not penalised with regard to their training allowances for operational issues that may arise in the national training system.

Both an apprentice and an employer must agree to the acceptance of a training place jointly. It is important to note that the Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices includes an obligation on the employer to ‘release the apprentice for the off-the-job training elements of the Apprenticeship Programme on the dates and to the location as notified’ as well as to ‘provide support, advice and encouragement to the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship’.

While there is no formal appeal process for apprentices or employers should either party not agree to release/attend, each apprentice is assigned an ETB Training Adviser who serves as a vital link between SOLAS, the education provider, the apprentice, and the employer, and who supports the apprentice throughout both on-the-job and off-the-job training. If an apprentice is experiencing difficulties in their apprenticeship, they should seek the advice and support of their Training Adviser.