asked the Minister for Education the reason the first year students for national certificates in legal studies in Waterford Regional Technical College are funded by the European Social Fund while no such facilities are available to students attending Letterkenny Regional Technical College, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Funding of Students.
222.
The allocation of ESF—aided places in respect of any particular course is determined on the basis of the submission made by each college for such places and with reference to the national potential employment of graduates from such a course. In this connection regard is had to the general investment and promotional activities of the IDA.
A total of 140 ESF-aided places was allocated to Letterkenny RTC in 1980-81 in respect of seven of the 17 courses in respect of which application had been made. A technician certificate course in legal studies was not included in the seven courses approved within the allocation of 140 places. Subsequently sanction was given at the request of the college for four specific additional courses. The overall allocation of the places was, however, restricted to 140. The course in legal studies originally proposed was not requested as one of the four additional courses.