Brian O'Shea
Ceist:847 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends applying ESF funding to national certificate conversion courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1313/98]
Written Answers. - ESF Funding.
In general, under the regulations governing the middle level technician and higher technical and business skills programme funded by the Department of Education and Science and the European Social Fund, ESF, free tuition may only be granted to a trainee for the approved duration of one ESF aided course only. An existing national certificate holder or a person who has completed more than year one of a degree level course is not eligible for free tuition or maintenance grants in respect of attendance on a national certificate programme. National certificate holders are eligible for free tuition for a third "add-on" year of a related diploma course.
In response to the shortage of technicians for high-technology industries, a national certificate in technology programme was developed by a joint industry/education task force. As this is a response to skills shortages in the sector, an addendum to the above regulations issued in December 1997, stating that a number of special features will apply to this course involving free tuition for all trainees, including those already in possession of a third level qualification.