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Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (218, 239, 240, 241, 242, 262)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

218. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the impact of changes to pupil-teacher ratios on PLC courses and the total number of teaching posts in the Cavan/Monaghan area in view of Budget 2013; if he will detail the impact assessment that was conducted in advance of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56479/12]

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Charlie McConalogue

Question:

239. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of posts that will be lost in PLC schools as a result of the changes to the pupil teacher ratio in budget 2013 in view of the fact that a significant number of teachers in the further education sector are on part-time fixed term contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56716/12]

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Charlie McConalogue

Question:

240. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons teaching in PLC schools; the number that are in full time permanent posts and the number that are employed on part time fixed term contract posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56717/12]

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Charlie McConalogue

Question:

241. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that many of the 200 posts to be lost in PLC schools next year are specialist posts, the impact that this will have on cuts to specialist courses and the specialist courses that will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56718/12]

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Charlie McConalogue

Question:

242. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the number of posts that will be lost in each of the colleges of further education next year following cuts to PLC schools in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56719/12]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

262. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the claims (details supplied) of the CEO of Cork City and County Vocational Education Committee that changes announced in Budget 2013 to the pupil teacher ratio will mean a reduction of 25 full time equivalent or 50 part time teachers across the three further education colleges in County Cork as well as the closure of specialised courses at a college (details further supplied). [56949/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 239 to 242, inclusive, and 262 together.

The pupil-teacher ratio for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses - which are mainly geared at school leavers and adults returning to education - is more favourable than the ratio in second level schools. The Government has decided to raise the pupil-teacher ratio for PLC courses to the same level as that which applies in all free second level schools – 19:1, from next September.

This decision is being made at a time when the Government has succeeded in protecting class sizes in primary and free second-level schools for the coming year, ensuring that our limited resources are rightly focussed on the children in our education system.

While it would be preferable not to have to make any changes, it is hard to justify providing more generous pupil-teacher ratios to PLCs which educates adults, than second-level schools which cater for teenagers.

This change will reduce the number of teaching posts by 200 in PLC and may lead to some reduction in subject choices for students. The further education sector has expanded rapidly over the past few decades, developing many innovative programmes for its students. It is now up to the CEOs of each VEC to look at the resources available to them and to work with their Principals and staff to ensure they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers.

PLC providers have been enrolling significantly above their allocation of places in recent years, and I do not expect that this measure will impact on the number of PLC places available.

In 2012, my Department is providing some €160 million in funding for the PLC programme, covering staff costs and non-pay costs, as well as student support. There are 32,688 approved PLC places available nationwide. Places are allocated to VECs, Community and Comprehensive and Voluntary Secondary schools on an annual basis following an application process and VECs are responsible for the further allocation of those places to schools and colleges under their remit.

Employment of teachers for the PLC programme is a matter for individual VECs or Community and Comprehensive and Voluntary Secondary schools. My Department does not hold details of teacher's contracts therefore no information is available on the number of full time permanent or part time fixed term teachers in PLC.

These changes will not take effect until September 2013. In the meantime VECs will have an opportunity to plan for the reduced allocation across the schools/colleges under their remit. This necessary change will result in an estimated saving of €12 million in a full year. As the change will be introduced at the start of the academic year in September 2013 the savings from Sept to Dec 2013 will be €4million. It is not possible to amend this measure without introducing additional Budget measures in education which would impact on other frontline services.

The table details the reduction in teacher allocation per VEC. The remaining 11 teaching posts will be across a number of schools in the Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive sector who also deliver the PLC programme.

VEC

Reduction in Teacher Allocation

Co. Cavan

8

Co. Carlow

4

Co. Clare

1

City of Cork

24

Co. Cork

8

City of Dublin

48

Co. Dublin

6

Dun Laoghaire

14

Co. Donegal

1

City of Galway

8

Co. Galway

1

Co. Kerry

4

Co. Kildare

2

Co. Kilkenny

3

Co. Laois

3

Co. Leitrim

0

City of Limerick

6

Co. Limerick

2

Co. Longford

3

Co. Louth

7

Co. Mayo

3

Co. Meath

3

Co. Monaghan

2

Co. Offaly

1

Co. Roscommon

1

Co. Sligo

3

Co. Tipperary N.R.

4

Co. Tipperary S.R.

2

City of Waterford

4

Co. Waterford

1

Co. Westmeath

1

Co. Wexford

5

Co. Wicklow

6

Non-VEC providers

11

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