Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
59 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will commit to a timetable for the implementation of the McIver Report on the further education sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25907/06]
View answer73 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the McIver Report on Further Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25763/06]
View answer79 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the timeframe envisaged for the long awaited full implementation of the McIver Report in view of discussions and commitments in the partnership agreement. [25803/06]
View answer93 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the elements of the McIver Report which will be implemented in the final year of this Government. [25978/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 73, 79 and 93 together.
Government commitment to the PLC sector, by reference to the resources applied in teachers' pay, non-pay running costs, student support and certification costs, is very significant.
We have increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996/97. Indeed, the number of PLC places approved for 2005/2006 is up by more than 1,600 on the 2004/05 level. The number of approved places in the sector now stands at 30,188.
We also extended the provision of maintenance grants to PLC students with effect from September 1998. The PLC maintenance grant scheme operates on the same basis as in higher education. There were nearly 8,000 PLC grant holders in 2005 and they received some €23 million in direct support. Tuition fees for PLC courses are also waived.
PLC students are included in the calculation of non-pay budgets issued to schools in respect of running costs. A supplementary non-pay grant towards running costs specifically for PLC schools is also payable. This amounted to €5.5 million in 2005. In addition, capital funding for works at eleven post-Leaving Certificate Colleges in 2006 has been agreed.
Other developments funded by my Department of direct benefit to the PLC sector include the provision of national certification under the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the development of progression links with higher education in the Institutes of Technology.
The McIver Report contains 21 over-arching recommendations, incorporating 91 sub- recommendations. It has been estimated, in consultation with management and staff interests, that the recommendations for staffing would involve at a minimum the creation of at least 800 new posts at a cost of over €48 million.
Having regard to developments in the PLC sector, including the McIver report, concrete prioritised proposals in relation to PLC provision and focused in particular on the larger PLC providers will be prepared and will be subject of further negotiation between management and unions. The level of resources for the PLC sector will be determined in the light of resources generally and the implications for other areas of education.
I want to invest in educational opportunity for learners in Further Education by providing the necessary system supports that will allow the sector as a whole to fulfil its important potential.
