Micheál Martin
Question:111 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the supports in terms of staffing allocation and resources she proposes to provide for the leaving certificate applied programme. [5262/95]
Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Applied Programme.
The leaving certificate applied is one of the options on the revised senior cycle structure. My Department has invited applications from schools wishing to participate in the first developmental phase of the leaving certificate applied from September, 1995.
Staffing for schools selected for the leaving certificate applied will be allocated on the basis of 1.25 teachers per group of 20.
I have increased the rate of capitation grant for voluntary secondary schools generally by £7 per pupil from January 1995. The budgets of community and comprehensive schools and of vocational education committees will also be increased. These increases will apply to all pupils, including those who will be taking the leaving certificate applied.
A briefing session on the implications of introducing the leaving certificate applied will be held in April for principals and guidance teachers in schools which apply for inclusion in the programme. Following selection of the schools, an intensive in-career development programme will be held before the end of the current school year.
My Department is at present looking in detail at the resourcing needs of this programme.