Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
236. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to ensure apprentices can receive off-the-job training at a location near their home. [67565/25]
View answerI understand that finding suitable accommodation for study can be a challenge, particularly when training locations are not close to home. My Department has since asked SOLAS to review the current placement and allocation system for apprentices and identify any opportunities for improvement.
It is important to note apprenticeships are demand-led, national programmes. As a result, it is not possible to provide all apprenticeship programmes in every Education and Training Board or Technical University.
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. SOLAS has confirmed that in the case of care or health issues that they will make special provision in every way possible for learners who are being asked to travel.
The relevant Education and Training Board issues written notification to apprentices and their employers between six and thirteen weeks before the commencement of the training phase. This scheduling is based on information provided by SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office. 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 Training Advisor.
Financial support is available to craft apprentices required to travel outside their home region. This includes an accommodation, travel and meal allowances. However, only one type of allowance is payable per training phase.
Apprentices are advised during induction that they may need to travel to other counties for training. Each apprentice is assigned a Training Advisor to assist them.
