Vol. 526 No. 4
345 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will look favourably at establishing a new education institution for the Rialto and the Coombe area of Dublin 8, in view of the current shortfall in education provision and the major development planned for the area. [26907/00]
There are two third level institutions, five secondary schools and two further education colleges located in the Dublin 8 area. Vocational training activities are funded by my Department through the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee which provides a wide range of full-time PLC courses in Inchicore vocational school and the Liberties College of Further Education, and in other locations throughout the city. Participants on PLC programmes receive free tuition and are eligible to apply for maintenance grants on the same basis as third-level students. The VEC also provides vocational education and training in a range of centres throughout the city for early school leavers, travellers and unemployed adults. Such programmes combine an integrated work experience element with literacy, numeracy, IT communications skills and a range of vocational options.
The priority is to maintain a range of levels and the diversity of provision within an expanding further education sector as part of the strategy to promote lifelong learning. Within this context, PLC courses play a particularly important role, providing ongoing education and training opportunities for school leavers as well as catering increasingly for older adults who are returning to learning. In this context it is planed to expand the range of vocational training courses over the coming years as part-time options come on stream under the back to education initiative.
There are no plans at present to increase the number of schools and colleges in the area.
Question No. 346 taken with Question No. 341.
