23 Jun Dillon welcomes extension of Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme

– Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme extended until the end of December 2021;

– Results in a €3,000 payment to employers for each new apprentice registered;

– 49 applications approved for Mayo meaning payments of up to €147,000.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo has welcomed news from Further and Higher Education Minister, Simon Harris TD, that he has confirmed a further extension of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) until the end of December 2021.  The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme provides financial support for employers who register apprentices to a national apprenticeship programmes.  Employers who are approved by SOLAS to employ apprentices are eligible for a €3,000 payment for each new apprentice registered.  The payment comprises of €2,000 per apprentice to eligible employers following the registration of apprentices with a further €1,000 payable in Year 2 for each apprentice retained on their apprenticeship.

Deputy Dillon said: “I know Minister Harris is serious about changing how we recognise and promote apprenticeships in this country.  Ireland has ambitious targets for apprenticeships and we need to ensure employers are supported in taking on new apprentices.  I am delighted Minister Harris has listened to employers and I am glad this incentivisation scheme will be extended to the end of the year.”

Deputy Dillon concluded: “Employers must firstly be approved by SOLAS to employ apprentices, and they are eligible for a payment of up to €3,000 for each new apprentice registered.  So far, a total of 49 employer applications in Mayo have been approved which means payments of up to €147,000 will issue to Mayo employers.  It is great to see Mayo employers engaging with the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme and I hope to see many more doing so in light of the extension until the end of December 2021.”