Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Post-Leaving Certificate Courses.

Brian Cowen

Question:

74 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made for the finalisation of agreement between her Department and the regional technical colleges for the linking of post-leaving certificate courses to the regional college courses to assist the many students who have taken post-leaving certificate courses on the basis that they were to be linked to the regional colleges and were to carry complementary points for the regional technical colleges if completed with credits in view of the fact that many students co-opted for a post-leaving certificate course instead of repeating their leaving certificate on this understanding and on advice from their careers teachers at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter in view of the predicament that a particular student (details supplied) in County Laois finds herself in as a result of this failure to finalise the necessary agreement. [1546/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The student in question is following a post-leaving certificate course of one year's duration leading to a level two award in community and health services-child care from the National Council for Vocational Awards.

In 1995 I approved a pilot scheme which established a new system for allocating places in regional technical college colleges for holders of NCVA qualifications. Under the terms of this scheme a quota of places are reserved on selected courses in participating colleges for candidates who are placed in an order of merit on the basis of their NCVA award results. This means that award holders may be awarded a third level place either on the basis of their NCVA or Leaving Certificate results.

The participating colleges and courses in 1995 for the purpose of the NCVA child care level two award were the child care courses in Athlone and Sligo Regional Technical Colleges. These colleges and courses will continue in the scheme in 1996, but the range of courses and participating colleges is currently being extended, and will be available very shortly.

This pilot scheme is an important development in establishing alternative progression pathways for students to higher levels of education and training, and TEASTAS, the recently established Irish National Certification Authority, will take account of this experience when developing a national qualifications framework.