Vol. 477 No. 2
194 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of educationalists regarding the drop-out level from post-leaving certificate courses; and the proposals, if any, she has to ensure that this section of school leavers is not deprived of a chance of education, training and secure employment. [9077/97]
The data available to my Department on drop out rates from post-leaving certificate courses show no increases in drop-out rates from that of previous years. However, of those who do leave the programme early, 52 per cent do so to take up employment or futher education or training.
There are now of the order of 18,700 participants on PLC courses. Significant investment has been made in recent years in enhancing the quality and accessibility of these courses through the introduction of national assessment and certification under the National Council for Vocational Awards in 1994, the abolition of fees in 1995, increased investment in in-career development of teachers and the establishment of TEASTAS in 1995 to provide a single unified structure for all extra-university vocational training in both the education and training sectors. As part of the overall strategy to develop a range of alternative routes through which people can progress to higher education a scheme has been introduced under which students with NCVA Level 2 awards can progress from PLC courses to selected courses in Dublin Institute of Technology and regional technical colleges.
