Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process by which apprentices are given a place for their off-the-job training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62723/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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SOLAS endeavours to schedule apprentices for their off-the-job training at the earliest possible opportunity and at the training location closest to their home. Where a placement is not available nearby, apprentices will be assigned to the next nearest available location.

It is important to note that not all apprenticeship programmes are available in every Education and Training Board (ETB) or Technical University (TU). Apprentices are advised during induction that they may need to travel to other counties for training. Each apprentice is assigned a Training Advisor within their employer’s region, who provides ongoing support throughout the programme.

The relevant ETB issues written notification to apprentices and their employers between six and thirteen weeks prior to the commencement of the training phase. This scheduling is based on information provided by SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO).

Both the apprentice and employer must confirm attendance within seven working days of the notification date. If an offer is declined, the place is reallocated to the next apprentice on the national waiting list. This process ensures full class intakes, efficient use of training capacity and fairness to all apprentices. A craft apprentice may decline a scheduled placement up to three times and return to the National Waiting List for future scheduling. An apprentice can arrange this by contacting their designated Training Advisor.

Support is available to craft apprentices required to travel outside their home region. They may qualify for an accommodation allowance. Travel and meal allowances are also available. However, only one type of allowance is payable per training phase.