Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The PLC programme provides an integrated general education, vocational training and work experience programme for young people who have completed their leaving certificate and for adults returning to education. The specific breakdown requested of numbers progressing from PLC courses to higher education is not available as the Higher Education Authority does not hold data on new entrants by previous qualification. This is, perhaps, something which might be done by SOLAS when it comes into existence.

Recent information from the CAO shows that the number of applicants who are offered and accept a place based on presenting a FETAC qualification has increased significantly from 599 in 2001 to 3,065 in 2012. The higher education links scheme, which links specific further education qualifications to reserved places in higher education institutions, is being continually developed to improve progression opportunities from further education to higher education in 40 universities, institutes of technology and private colleges.

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