asked the Minister for Education if she intends to extend the European Social Fund course to a three-year course from its present length to enable students to qualify for their diplomas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of ESF Course.
17.
Informal approval has been received from the EC Commission for the extension of the ESF to vocational training courses of up to three years duration in VEC colleges.
Arrangements are being made for consultation with the college authorities on the details and implementation of the new programme which will include diploma courses.
Would this come into being for the year starting September 1989-90?
It is anticipated that students commencing a certificate course can be assured that if they get their certificate they will be able to do the diploma course and they will receive funding when they reach the diploma year.
Will the present students who have been on this course for two years be eligible?
No. A clear distinction has been drawn by the VEC. It is beginning in September.
The certificate is not acceptable on its own and parents have to find a substantial amount of money to send those students for the third year. Would the Minister agree that an exception should be made for the small number involved?
It is a question in which I have an enormous interest. I was very glad when the EC decided finally that they would include the diploma year. However a clear distinction has been made by the authorities that the proposal will start in September and will be of marvellous benefit to the young people. This will benefit only those who commence their studies in September.
Is there any way the Minister can ask the Commission to change their minds in view of the numbers in the system at the moment?
We can always make further representations but the communications we have received from them and the consultations we have had leave us in no doubt about the measure which, as I have said, is of enormous benefit to young people. Nobody is asking me questions on this and it is a really good measure. Deputies are asking all the other questions. Deputy Farrelly is the only one who mentioned it and I acknowledge his interest in the matter.
The Minister is trying to make sure of her legal base first.
I will be sure of my legal base. It has been made clear to us that the measure is ab initio but I will go back to the Commission again on that point.
Do I understand the Minister to say that the new third year ESF assistance will come into play only for those who start their studies in September or will it apply to those who are available and eligible to undertake the diploma course in September?
It is for those students who begin their studies in September. There is also — and I neglected to say this because we were dwelling on the VEC colleges — a provision whereby a one year diploma in certain related disciplines, particularly in technological and business geared studies, following on the receipt of a graduateship, is also to be funded and that is at present under consultation.
I wish to express my amazement at what now appears to be a complete anomaly in regard to what seemed to be quite an advantage as a result of the announcement of this third year assistance. Those who have already embarked on a certificate course of two years and will complete the course either this year or next year will not be entitled to assistance in their diploma course.
As I said to Deputy Farrelly that is the directive which we have received but I certainly would share the viewpoint as put forward by Deputy Farrelly and Deputy Blaney that we should go back and say that we have a further case to make.
I would welcome that.