Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
348. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of increasing the training grant per apprentice for employers to €5,000, €7,000 and €10,000. [42240/24]
View answerThe Apprenticeship Employer Grant provides financial support from the State to apprenticeship employers who employ apprentices on one of the 52 consortia-led apprenticeships which have been established since 2016. The grant is funded through the National Training Fund and came into effect on the 1st of January, 2022.
Apprenticeship employers are eligible to receive a €2,000 grant annually for each registered apprentice. The grant is paid in arrears in two payments annually, with €1,000 payable in May-June and a further €1,000 in November-December.
In the last full year, 2023, just over 3,000 apprentices positions were eligible for the €2,000 grant and a total €5.4 million was paid out to employers. Based on these figures the table sets out the projected costs at the different rates set out in the question.
|
Grant Value |
Cost |
|
€5,000 |
€15.8 million |
|
€7,000 |
€22.1 million |
|
€10,000 |
€31.6 million |
However, it should be noted that these figures are based on all eligible apprentices, but not all claims received resulted in a payment as some may have been rejected for a number of reasons, e.g. lack of a tax clearance. In addition, not all eligible employers would have submitted a claim.
This Government is committed to growing apprenticeship and my Department secured a significant investment of €77.4m into the apprenticeship system in Budget 2025. Of this, €5.9 million has been specifically allocated to the Consortia-led apprenticeships.
It remains a priority for my Department to maintain this momentum, to continue growing the apprenticeship system, and ensure that there are enough training places for current and future skills needs.
