Vol. 482 No. 3
384 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools and the number of pupils who are participating in the leaving certificate applied in 1997-98; the way in which this compares with 1996; and if he will give details of the additional resources allocated to a school taking up this option. [17844/97]
In the 1996-97 school year a total of 3,593 pupils followed the programme in 124 schools-centres. The actual enrolment for the current school year will not be known for some weeks yet, until the October returns from all schools have been received and checked in my Department. Approximately 7,000 pupil places in a total of 173 schools-centres were approved by my Department for 1997-98.
A special start up equipment grant is provided for schools commencing the leaving certificate applied and-or the leaving certificate vocational programme. A maximum grant of £17,000 is payable to leaving certificate applied schools. An annual resource grant calculated on the basis of £125 per leaving certificate applied pupil is also provided.
Staffing is allocated on the basis of 1.25 teachers per group of 20 leaving certificate applied students.
A leaving certificate applied support service is also in place for schools introducing and continuing to provide the programme.
