(Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a three year course in advertising and estate agency work being offered by Galway Regional Technical College is not in receipt of European Social Fund grants, in view of the fact that a similar course being offered by Bolton Street College of Technology, Dublin 1 is in receipt of ESF funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - ESF Funding.
100.
The middle level technician programme is operated by my Department in Regional Technical Colleges and Colleges of Technology with assistance from the European Social Fund and in order to comply with the fund's requirements consists solely of one and two year certificate courses.
The course to which the Deputy refers at Galway RTC is constituted as a three year ab-initio diploma course and does not qualify for inclusion under the middle level technician programme.
The two year auctioneering and estate agency certificate course offered by the College of Technology, Bolton Street, is included in the programme and qualifies for European Social Fund assistance. Students who complete this certificate course can then opt to do an additional one year diploma course which is not aided by the European Social Fund.