Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Post-Leaving Certificate Courses.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

909 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the long awaited report on post-leaving certificate courses; if so, the main recommendations of the report; and if he will publish it without delay. [9396/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

An interim report and recommendations prepared by consultants was presented to the PLC Review Group on Friday 15 March, 2002.

The main features of the recommendations are a reduction in class contact hours for PLC staff from 22 to 18 per week to allow time for other essential duties – marketing, recruitment, guidance, module/curriculum development, and assessment under the NCVA/FETAC system; establishment of a new management structure – to replace the ordinary school one – for colleges with large PLC provision with the inclusion of new professional grades and specialist administration posts. The aim is to build up a strong top management and middle management team in the large colleges, with recommendations being made based on centre size; provision of central and regional support services for industry liaison, quality assurance and ICT development, and enhancements in capital and ICT infrastructures.

The recommendations are predicated on a new contract for staff which would clearly specify the non-class duties which must be carried out. The implementation of the report on a phased basis, and associated industrial relations issues, are matters to be negotiated in the normal way between the Department, and the relevant union and management bodies, taking full account of available resources, competing demands for funds and the potential impact on other levels of the system. Arrangements to circulate the report will be made shortly. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the Deputy for her information.