NOTICE TO ALL APPRENTICES REGARDING TRAINING ALLOWANCE.

BATU along with the four other construction unions of ICTU met with representatives of the Department of Education and Skills to seek clarification on your behalf regarding the taxation of the training allowance and the change of the payroll system to fortnightly and an assurance that these new changes would not have a negative financial impact on any of our members.

The following is a brief summary of what was agreed at the meeting.

That the Department of Education and Skills have agreed to review the new arrangements in early summer and that the union’s request for weekly pay will be actively considered as part of that review;

That the Department of Education and Skills have acknowledged that some apprentices may have financial difficulties arising from the implementation of the new arrangements. The Department have confirmed that the ETB’s have the means to assist any apprentice who may encounter financial difficulties. The information provided to apprentices by the Department advises them to raise the issue with their instructor in the first instance. If an apprentice is unable to resolve their issue with the local ETB they should contact their union who will raise the issue with the Department directly.

The Department have confirmed that these new arrangements do not impact on the employment status of any apprentice.

The Department have confirmed that apprentices will be paid on the 6 March 2020 with the next payment on the 20 March 2020.

Unity Is Strength

Ní Neart Go Cur Le Chéile.