Vol. 473 No. 3
125 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. [24924/96]
My Department will provide over £39 million this year towards the running costs of such courses, and I have abolished fees for PLC courses with effect from 1995-96.
To provide a maintenance grants scheme for PLC students along the lines of the third level scheme would cost in excess of £11 million per annum. I am sure 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, and in ensuring provisions in a wide range of disciplines for as many students as possible.
Due to overall resource constraints I am unable to provide maintenance grants for PLC students. I will, of course, keep the matter under review.
126 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of students participating in post leaving certificate courses in the 1996-97 academic year. [24925/96]
An estimated 18,649 students are availing of post leaving certificate courses in 1996-97.
