Vol. 450 No. 4
110 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the practical steps, if any, she proposes to take to encourage the provision of post-leaving certificate courses, NCVA level two courses and VTOS courses by community, comprehensive and voluntary secondary schools; and the administrative supports, if any, she will give to these schools to enable them play their part in providing these important courses. [5261/95]
All schools are invited annually to participate in the vocational preparation and training programme by my Department at both VPT-1 and VPT-2 level, but the take-up to date has been predominantly in the vocational sector. VPT-2 courses are more commonly known as post leaving certificate courses, and are certified within the NCVA framework of awards. The Department provides a pupil teacher ratio of 1.25 per group of 20 students to support the programme, together with additional grants towards equipment and materials. In addition, quality assurance measures are funded through investment in in-career development and national assessment and certification via the National Council for Vocational Awards.
The vocational training opportunity scheme needs to be co-ordinated locally on an area basis and with other services for the long term unemployed, to ensure that viable groups are maintained, and to make the best use possible of the range of services and education and training options in a locality. For this reason, the programme is administered and funded through the vocational education committees. Programmes are provided in separate class groups located in schools or in other centres. Vocational education committees are encouraged to involve all schools to the greatest extent possible consistent with the effective delivery of the scheme and to give them appropriate financial and other support. Eligible unemployed people may also participate in vocational training opportunity schemes through attending second level courses in any school by arrangement with the vocational education committees concerned within the overall limit of places allocated to them. My Department provides funding to the vocational education committees to cover tuition, administration and overhead costs, payment of allowances to students in lieu of social welfare entitlements, and provision towards the cost of books, meals and travel. Staff development and assessment and certification measures are also funded.
