Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1252. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the minimum wage for apprenticeships; whether he will increase the minimum wage for apprentices to encourage participation in light of the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of financial challenges facing learners and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to attending tertiary education.?As part of Budget 2026, I announced a permanent reduction in the free?fees?initiative Student Contribution charge. This flat rate reduction has reduced the rate from €3,000 to €2,500 for undergraduate students eligible for the free fees initiative and, applied on a pro-rata basis, has lowered the student contribution by 17% for apprentices attending Higher Education.?In regard to?apprentices, €2.5 million was?allocated?for this purpose and, over the 2025/26 academic year, this will benefit approximately 14,000 apprentices.
Apprentices are employees and all apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. In the case of craft apprentices, minimum rates of pay are typically determined through collective bargaining arrangements or underpinned by Sectoral Employment Orders. Apprentices are exempt from minimum wage legislation - responsibility for minimum wage legislation rests with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and neither my Department nor SOLAS has a role in setting apprentice wages.
During off-the-job training phases, craft apprentices receive a State training allowance. While this allowance is not a wage and does not constitute an employment relationship with SOLAS, it is aligned with industry minimum wage rates and increases as apprentices progress through their training. The below table outlines the fortnightly State training allowance applicable to craft apprentices.
|
|
Electrical |
Construction |
Mech Building |
Engineering |
Motor |
|
Phase2 (P2) |
€357.24 |
€298.97 |
€347.49 |
€313.79 |
€251.46 |
|
Phase 4 (P4) |
€459.42 |
€448.50 |
€521.04 |
€451.63 |
€377.57 |
|
Phase 6 (P6) |
€663.39 |
€672.75 |
€781.56 |
€671.01 |
€566.34 |
|
Year 4 |
€816.66 |
€807.30 |
€937.95 |
€810.38 |
€679.62 |
Additional targeted supports are also available. The Access to Apprenticeship Initiative provides financial assistance, including a €3,000 bursary, to support participation by learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme offers financial and practical supports to improve access, retention and completion.
It remains a priority for Government to ensure that apprentices are adequately incentivised and supported to engage in apprenticeship programmes, and that employers are likewise supported.
