Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 723 together.

The 2009 provision for the 1,500 additional PLC places is €4 million. The estimated full year cost in 2010 is €12 million. Currently, there are 30,188 PLC places available in some 195 approved schools and centres nationwide. PLC courses are provided predominantly in the VEC sector, but some community and comprehensive schools and secondary schools also provide courses. PLC courses are full-time and generally of one year's duration. PLC courses cater for school leavers and adults who want to return to education, including those who are unemployed and those at risk of becoming unemployed. They are designed to provide successful participants with specific vocational skills to enhance their prospects of securing lasting, full-time employment, or progression to other studies. A priority for this Government is to support those who have lost their jobs through retraining and further education and I know in this context that individual VECs will be conscious of the need to adjust provision to meet these priorities.

My Department allocates PLC places to VECs and other providers on an annual basis following an application process. Each application is examined by my Department on its merits, taking into account current and previous allocations, current and previous demand and uptake and the overall number of places available. Regard is also had in this context to ensuring appropriate provision on a geographic basis and the necessary critical mass for delivery of a quality education service. In addition, providers must demonstrate a labour market justification for the courses being proposed.

The application process for the 2009/2010 academic year concluded recently. No decision has been made yet with regard to the allocation of the additional 1,500 places but any allocations would be considered in light of the factors set out above. To enrol on a PLC course, people should contact their local VEC or PLC provider.

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