Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 4

Written Answers. - Post Leaving Certificate Programmes.

Paul McGrath

Question:

7 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason colleges of further education are not established to cater for the post-leaving certificate area and courses certified by the National Council for Vocational Awards in view of the fact that a well developed system of further education exists in other European states; the reason this State will not recognise and formalise the further education area in terms of student grants, resources, teacher training and salaries of teachers.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Post Leaving Certificate programmes were developed as part of the second-level education system and are provided by second-level schools throughout the country, in over 200 different locations, thereby maximising access by students and facilitating responsiveness to local needs.

At present, in excess of 17,000 students participate in Post Leaving Certificate Courses which are provided in schools as an integral element of the Vocational Preparation and Training Programme (VPT2) operated by my Department with support from the Structural Funds of the European Union.

The cost of delivery of these courses is provided by my Department through the payment of teachers' salaries, grants for equipment and inservice training for teachers. I have secured over £30 million for the next six years, in the National Development Plan, to fund a major programme of inservice education of teachers, at first and second level. Teachers engaged in the delivery of PLC courses are part of the target group which will benefit significantly from this programme.

It is estimated that a means tested grants scheme to cover both fees and maintenance for PLC students would cost £10 million. In the case of the PLC courses it has been considered more important to concentrate on improving the quality of the system, through investment in national certification and assessment arrangements, in programme development, in inservice training, and in ensuring that those courses continue to be available in a wide range of disciplines for as many students as possible.

As the Deputy is aware I am now involved in the formulation of my proposals for incorporation in the forthcoming White Paper on Education, following extensive consultations with all concerned interests. In this context, I have received submissions and listened carefully to a wide variety of views on the future development of PLCs. These will receive my full consideration over the coming months as I move towards completion of the White Paper.