Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
300. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider removing the cap on the number of students in vocational education committee controlled schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25920/13]
View answerWhile there is a finite number of places for which funding can be made available there is no actual cap on the number of students that can be enrolled in Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) schools. In 2012/2013 PLC providers enrolled 35,609 learners which is a commendable achievement We welcome the fact that VECs/schools are endeavouring to cater for as many learners as possible within their allocations. My Department funds the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme by allocating places to VECs and other schools. The total number of places available nationwide is 32,688. My Department is not in a position to increase this number as there is a continuing requirement to plan and control numbers and to manage expenditure within the context of overall educational policy and provision.
