Vol. 489 No. 1
69 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has abandoned the proposal for a further education authority to provide the driving force for the development of the PLC sector in a similar way as the Higher Education Authority does for the traditional third level sector. [7452/98]
As I indicated in reply to Question No. 85 on 12 February 1998, the Government's commitment to the ongoing development of the further education sector is evident in
— the decision to provide means-tested maintenance grants for students attending PLC courses with effect from September 1998. The scheme will operate along the lines of the existing third level schemes and will be a critical development in enhancing access to lifelong learning,
— the significant role played by PLC courses in the Government's response to meeting the skills needs of the economy, particularly the recent initiative in international teleservices, which is accompanied by substantial capital investment and a new student support scheme for the cost of overseas placement,
— the inclusion of specific provision for the PLC sector under the new Education Technology (Investment) Fund, some £20 million of this will be available for PLC courses and apprenticeships. This is a first. It is the first time since the initiation of PLCs that serious capital investment has been devoted to the sector. This much needed investment underlines the importance which the Government attaches to the sector,
— the increase of a minimum of 1,000 additional places on youthreach and in senior traveller training centre places which is being provided in 1998, allied to additional funds for a new measure to provide counselling, guidance and psychological services for participants in these programmes,
— the decision to have a Green Paper on Adult Education which will make recommendations on future developments in the context of expanding access to lifelong learning,
— the ongoing investment in the work of the National Council for Vocational Awards and TEASTAS in providing national certification and assessment for this important sector, streamlining and regulating standards in line with industry needs.
One of the most urgent requirements in the further and higher education and training area, outside the existing universities, is the provision of a comprehensive national qualifications framework which will ensure the quality of the outcome from the sector and in doing this building on the excellent work carried out by the NCVA and the NCEA. I am satisfied the PLC sector has and will continue to have a dynamic role in meeting skills needs and in the promotion of lifelong learning and employability generally — this role is readily recognised and acknowledged by industry. I intend to build on these strengths. I will keep under review the structures through which this might best be done.
