Vol. 513 No. 1
776 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if there will be at least one designated centre in County Wexford arising out of the re-organisation for investment and development in the proposed re-organisation and rationalisation of post leaving certificate third level education colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1770/00]
My Department has agreed to undertake a review of the organisational, management, technical, administrative and ancillary service needs of centres catering for large numbers of PLC students. The term designated centres has been used in discussions in that context, but should not be interpreted as meaning future provision would be confined to such centres. There are no plans to rationalise provision of post leaving certificate courses, and the need is accepted for a balance between promoting economies of scale and ensuring access to lifelong learning in rural areas.
The purpose of the review, which will examine centres of varying size, is to make recommendations on the organisational and infrastructural supports which should underpin future development in the sector. The terms of reference for the study are being finalised in consultation with teacher and management interests.
In Wexford as a whole, some 865 PLC places are provided over a wide range of disciplines in centres which vary in size from one class group to a centre with 320 pupils. It is envisaged that only the larger centres would come within the ambit of the review.
