The question of providing means-tested maintenance grants for post leaving certificate students along the lines of the third level student support schemes is under examination at present. At present, my Department invests of the order of £39 million annually on such courses. An additional £3.5 million has recently been announced for the international teleservices PLC programme, £1.5 million for equipment and £2 million for a student support scheme towards the cost of placement abroad. Infrastructural provision for the post leaving certificate area is made in the normal course of events from within the second level capital allocation.
The Government has also recently announced details of a £250 million education technology investment fund which will be used to develop technology education at all levels, including PLCs. The funding will be in addition to annual capital allocations and will not reduce or replace existing investment, and will come on stream in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
These developments reflect the Government's commitment to the ongoing development of the PLC sector as a key resource in responding to skill needs and promoting lifelong learning. The initiatives in this area are complemented by investment in the work of the National Council for Vocational Awards and Teastas is providing national certification and assessment of the sector, streamlining and regulating standards in line with industry needs.
