Post Leaving Certificate Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2012

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Ceisteanna (64)

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

64 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy regarding PLC colleges that have students above their student cap who receive both the registration fee from the students and the gross allocation per student from his Department; if they will still continue to receive both; if a policy change in relation to the gross allocation per student been communicated to the PLC colleges with a rationale to the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24766/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

Under the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme, my Department covers the cost of teacher salaries and allocates a non-pay grant (enhanced PLC capitation) on the basis of the number of approved PLC places or enrolments, whichever is the lesser.

Budget 2011 provided for the introduction of a €200 annual PLC programme participant contribution, with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. In February 2011, my Department set out the arrangements that would apply (Circular 13/2011) and confirmed that providers should collect and retain the participant contribution from all eligible participants and make a return to my Department. My Department would then recoup the appropriate sum by setting it against the non-pay capitation grant.

I am aware that some PLC centres charge a "registration fee" to cover exam fees, student charges or course equipment which becomes the property of the learner after completion of the course. Such fees are a matter for individual centres and are not recouped by my Department.