Vol. 467 No. 7
239 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to provide support for students on post leaving certificate courses in view of the commitment given in the Programme A Government of Renewal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14422/96]
An additional £2 million annually was provided by my Department so that post leaving certificate course fees could be abolished with effect from 1995-96. This additional funding covers tuition-equipment charges levied by schools, but does not provide for certification-registration charges of professional or certification bodies.
Student maintenance grants are not paid. To provide a scheme for PLC trainees along the lines of the third level scheme would cost in excess of £10 million per annum. The House will appreciate that a balance has to be struck between competing demands for resources in the education sector — between funding for the different levels of the system, between initial and second chance education, between student supports, investment in quality assurance, and special measures to combat disadvantage and under achievement. In the case of PLC courses I consider it more important to concentrate on improving the quality of the system, through investment in national certification and assessment arrangements, in programme development, in in-service training, and in providing courses in a wide range of disciplines for as many students as possible. My Department will provide over £39 million this year towards the running costs of such courses.
I will, of course, keep the matter under review in the context of the ongoing resources available.
240 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of students who participated on post leaving certificate courses during the 1995/1996 academic year; the number of places that will be available on such courses in the 1996/1997 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14423/96]
The total number of pupils who participated in post leaving certificate courses during the 1995-96 school year amounted to just over 17,900. It is not possible at this stage to say the number of pupils participating in such courses in the 1996-97 school year. However, a reduction in demand is expected due to the impact of the three year senior cycle.
