Brendan Smith
Ceist:133 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to provide maintenance grants for students on post leaving certificate courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1912/97]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
My Department will provide over £39 million this year towards the running costs of such courses, and I have abolished fees for PLC courses with effect from 1995-96. To provide a maintenance grants scheme for PLC students along the lines of the third level scheme would cost in excess of £11 million per annum. I am sure the House will appreciate that a balance has to be struck between competing demands for resources in the education sector — between funding for the different levels of the system, between initial and second chance education, between student supports, investment in quality assurance, and special measures to combat disadvantage and underachievement.
In the case of PLC courses I consider it more important to concentrate on improving the quality of the system, through investment in national certification and assessment arrangements, in programme developments, in inservice training, and in ensuring provision in a wide range of disciplines for as many students as possible. Due to overall resources constraints I am unable to provide maintenance grants for PLC students. I will, of course, keep the matter under review.