Vol. 569 No. 3
265 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review a situation whereby a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 with a leaving cert applied qualification cannot enrol at a beauty therapist course at a VEC college. [17670/03]
The leaving certificate applied is suitable for entry to the vast majority of PLC courses, with the exception of a very small number of courses approved by professional bodies. Responsibility for operational arrangements relating to student admissions is a matter for individual colleges. Inquiries have been made with the principal of the college concerned and the position is that the minimum entry requirement determined by the college for entry to the two-year beauty therapy course is leaving certificate, including a science subject. Home economics – social and scientific – will be accepted as a science subject. Mature students may be granted exemptions from certain of the requirements. Students with other relevant qualifications may be considered in certain circumstances. All entrants are required to undergo an interview. The entry requirements are outlined in the prospectus published by the college.
The award in beauty therapy in this instance is offered by CIDESCO, Comité International d'Esthetique et de Cosmetologie. It is understood that the student in this case does not have a science subject at leaving certificate level. The college has also advised that students with the leaving certificate applied may be accepted on a number of one-year courses in related areas and if successfully completed, will be guaranteed a place on the beauty therapy course the following year. It is also understood that the student in question is currently on a waiting list of applicants for admission to a PLC course in beauty and retail sales.
