asked the Minister for Education (1) the number of courses, in third level colleges or institutions receiving European Social Fund financial aid, and their locations; (2) the numbers of students on such courses receiving financial support, the weekly value of such support, if it is intended to increase the level of support in line with the percentage increase in the higher education grant, if so the level at which they will then stand, and if not, why; and (3) the rules and regulations covering receipt of such support by students, whether these rules and regulations were instituted by the Department of Education and are a condition of social fund financing.
Written Answers. - European Social Fund Courses.
268.
European Social Fund aid is received in respect of middle-level technician and middle-management and supervisory training programmes which are held in certain third level institutions. Such aid is also received in respect of CERT and AnCO training programmes which involve the use of third level institutions in the vocational sector.
In the current academic year, a total of approximately 5,032 trainees are involved. Of these, approximately 1,958 are in the middle-level technician programme which carries a special weekly training grant of £13.88. I have arranged that this level of support should be increased in line with the percentage increase in the higher education grant and the level will then stand at £16.66, as from the commencement of the school year 1979-80.
The conditions governing the award of the training grant are set out in a document entitled Special Training Programme 1978 which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. They were drawn up by the Department of Education and formed the basis of a successful application for European Social Fund aid for the training programme.
Following is the document:
Document ‘B'
Special Training Programme 1978.
1. Applicants must be at least 17½ years and not older than 25 years on the 1 October 1978.
2. Applicants may be required to take a suitability test and to attend an interview.
Suitability tests will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 5 and 6 September unless otherwise notified. Applicants required to undertake this test will be notified during the week preceding the testing. Those applicants who are successful in the test will be called to interview. Interviews will be held Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, (12, 13, 14 September) Programme will, in most instances, commence Monday, 25 September.
3. Applicants may only apply to the institution concerned for the programmes proposed by that institution. (Please refer to the appropriate newspaper advertisement). While every effort will be made to run the programmes advertised, circumstances may arise which will not permit the running of some of the proposed programmes.
4. Applicants must complete:
(a) The National Manpower Service Job Seekers Card.
(b) The Application Form for the Special Training Programmes.
(c) Any documents or forms required by the individual college.
(a) and (b) will be used for selection purposes only.
5. In the event of the Leaving Certificate 1978 results not being published in sufficient time to allow applicants to meet the closing date for applications, applicants awaiting those results should return the Job Seekers Card by the closing date and the application form immediately after the Leaving Certificate results have been obtained.
6. Trainees will not be required to pay tuition fees. A flat rate grant of £13.88 per week will be paid only during attendance at the institution (including Christmas and Easter breaks). For one year courses the grant will be for 36 weeks and for two year courses for 36 weeks in each of the two years.
7. Trainees will be responsible for arranging their own accommodation etc. The authorities of the institution running the programmes will, however, assist where possible. There is no special or separate grant for board lodgings, travel etc.
8. Trainees will be subject to the normal disciplines of the institutions running the programmes and must provide themselves with such text books, equipment, etc. as required and to pay such deposits or bonds as may be required by the authorities of the institution.
9. Trainees who are unpunctual or irregular in their attendance will have their grants reduced. A grant may be discontinued in the case of a trainee whose record in this regard is deemed unsatisfactory.
10. Trainees will be required to undergo such tests as may be required from time to time. Trainees who do not show sufficient progress in their training may be dismissed from the programme.
11. Trainees who successfully complete the programmes will be awarded appropriate certificates.