Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am aware of the stipulation that has been imposed on the college referred to in the question. The Deputy will be aware that the national reduction in apprentice recruitment has necessitated a reduction in the current level of training provision. The problem is particularly acute in the construction trades, which have suffered a reduction in recruitment of almost 70% in the past two years. This reduction is beginning to feed into the education sector. A reduction in provision is necessary because apprentice numbers are declining. Officials from the Department of Education and Science have met the principal of the college referred to by the Deputy to discuss the issues arising from the reduction in apprenticeship provision. These issues are being considered.

Nationally, some 30,188 places are available on the post-leaving certificate programme. Most of these places are allocated to VECs on an annual basis following an application process. It is a matter for the VECs to allocate the places to their colleges and institutions. Each application is examined by the Department on its merits, taking into account current and previous allocations, current and previous demand and uptake, the overall number of places that are available and the overall demand from VECs. The application process for the 2009-10 academic year is ongoing. Any application from the VEC responsible for the college referred to in the Deputy's question will be considered on its own merits, taking into account all relevant circumstances. The Deputy should be aware that the increase from 16:1 to 17:1 in the pupil-teacher ratio in the post-leaving certificate sector was sanctioned on the same basis as the increase from 18:1 to 19:1 in the ratio in the post-primary sector. The identified reduction of 200 teachers in the education system in the 2009-10 school year is based on the increase in the ratio in the post-primary and post-leaving certificate sectors.

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