Labour’s apprentice fees slated by Sinn Féin Dublin EU candidate Lynn Boylan

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

Union leader says it’s the first time in 30 years that a minister had refused to meet them

SKILLS MINISTER RUAIRÍ QUINN is under pressure to meet critics over his Labour/Fine Gael Government’s new training fees of almost €1,500 for low-paid apprentices.

Sinn Féin Dublin EU candidate Lynn Boylan has secured a public commitment from Labour MEP Emer Costello to press the minister for a meeting with the Technical Engineering & Electrical Union and the Union of Students in Ireland as a matter of urgency.

Lynn Boylan and the Labour MEP were both at the launch in Dublin last week of the ‘Axe the Training Tax’ campaign, organised by the TEEU and the USI.

Some 7,500 apprentices attending institutes of technology will have to find between €833 and €1,433 for their off-the-job training even though they are already amongst the lowest-paid in the state.

The TEEU said it has held meetings with apprentices across the country.

“The overwhelming response was that these fees were unfair, unaffordable and must be resisted, but Ruairí Quinn TD, the Minister for Education and Skills, has so far refused to meet and discuss his decision,” TEEU General Secretary Eamon Devoy said.

He said it is the first time in his 30 years of his involvement in the union that a minister had refused to meet with them.

Labour MEP Emer Costello – one of the speakers at the launch – was criticised by Sinn Féin Dublin EU candidate Lynn Boylan on her party’s “penny-pinching, regressive measure”.

Lynn Boylan said the Labour MEP’s claim that she is championing youth unemployment in Brussels “is yet another example of Emer Costello’s astonishing ability to speak out of both sides of her mouth”.

The Sinn Féin European Parliament candidate pointed out:

“Labour in government has relentlessly attacked young people, particularly those on low incomes.

“Labour in government has cut basic social welfare rates for the under-25s, offered up a paltry €14million for a Youth Guarantee, fallen far short of providing the necessary training places, and have now introduced apprenticeship fees.”