Micheál Martin
Question:108 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme to post leaving certificate students attending colleges of further education. [17803/96]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
A maintenance grants scheme for PLC students along the lines of the third level scheme would cost more than £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 developments, in inservice training in a wide range of disciplines for as many students as possible. My Department will provide more than £35 million this years towards the running costs of such courses, and I have abolished feels for PLC courses with effect from 1995-96.
Due to overall resource constraints I am unable to provide maintenance grants for PLC students. I will, of course, keep the matter under review.