Background information

In December 2021, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, announced the introduction of a new annual grant for employers who employ apprentices.

The Minister said the grant “will help address the cost of employing apprentices and encourage employers to consider apprenticeship as something that is excellent for business and excellent for the learner.”

The new grant comes within the Government’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The key objectives of the plan are:

• A high quality and innovative approach.
• Employer-driven responses.
• Apprenticeship for all.
• A valued option.
• A single, coherent system.

Content of measure

The annual Employer Grant amount will be €2,000 per eligible registered apprentice per year for those apprenticeships which are not eligible for the payment of off-the-job training allowances.

The grant opens from January 2022 and applies to employers who employ apprentices in one of the 37 apprenticeships which have been established since 2016.

To avail of the grant, employers will have to submit proof of registration of the apprentice and proof that the apprentice is still in their employment at each payment point.

According to the Government, this extends financial support to all apprentice employers for the first time, addressing a key barrier to employer participation in apprenticeship.

Use of measure

No information to date.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Workers in non-standard forms of employment Other groups of workers	Other businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public employment service Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The initiative forms part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025. When the Plan was being formulated both employer bodies and trade unions were consulted and made submissions.

Views and reactions

No information on reaction to this specific initiative.

Sources

• 12 July 2021: Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 to 2025 (www.gov.ie)
• 19 December 2021: Minister Harris announces new €2,000 support for apprenticeship employers (www.gov.ie)