Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

There is no denying that the courses delivered through the PLC programme seek to restore people's dignity and to provide them with an opportunity to get back into the workforce. As mentioned by Deputies, the jobs initiative provides for an additional 1,000 PLC places this year. We will shortly make a decision in regard to the allocation of those places. In making that decision, I am aware that nationally, the number of PLC places are more often than not over-subscribed and that demand far exceeds what we are capable of providing. In the context of the difficult financial circumstances in which we find ourselves we had to limit the additional PLC places to 1,000. They will be allocated to areas where demographically it can be shown that unemployment is a major issue and in areas where in the past demand has substantially exceeded provision. These areas will be prioritised. The additional places will be allocated in the near future.

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