Results 1-17 of 17 for in 'Dáil debates' segment:1741690

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: Question 120: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of the change in policy instigated by his Department regarding funding for colleges for further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9886/04]

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: Most colleges offering post-leaving certificate courses are operated under the management of the vocational education committees. Funding is provided for pay and non-pay costs on the basis of the approved number of places on approved courses run by the colleges. In the current academic year, enrolments on post-leaving certificate courses in certain schools and colleges have exceeded the...

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: Excess numbers have been enrolled every year, but this is the first in which the cap has been enforced by the Minister of State. Why is that the case? Is she aware that the colleges are not receiving capitation grants for every student enrolled and that teacher allocations are less than they should be as a result of the cap? Colleges are losing out on the allocation of posts of...

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: I thank the Deputy for raising the question as it provides me with an opportunity to underline a number of points. Post-leaving certificate courses provide the young people and adults who take part in them with a tremendous opportunity to return to education. It is important to note that these courses are seen as providing development from the bottom up. They respond to a need within the...

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: I asked eight specific questions, of which the Minister of State has answered only one. There are seven left to answer in the minute the Minister of State has left. I ask her to deal with the questions which have been asked.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: I am attempting to do so. It is important to understand the context. The most important question the Deputy asked has been asked by those who are working in the post-leaving certificate sector. They wish to know what is happening in terms of the allocation of teachers in the current and subsequent academic years. Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited funds to look after all these...

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: The Minister of State made this point prior to the discussions.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: I have responsibility for further education. I want to see an improvement in every possible way in the provision——

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Séamus Pattison: The time for this question has expired.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: ——for young people and adults who have an opportunity to take on these programmes.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: Cutting numbers does not achieve this.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: We must work through this change systematically.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: The Minister's response has not answered the questions that exist. How will her objectives for the provision of these services be facilitated if she is cutting back the numbers?

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: It is not a question of cutting back in numbers. We are attempting to look at the overall position in the context of available funds. One need only consider the statistics I outlined in my response, there is no falling back on numbers.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Olwyn Enright: From here on in, that is.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: We want to take on board the issues of immediate importance to those who wish to provide the post leaving certificate courses and those who wish to avail of them. Everyone is aware of the PLC review, the McIver report. The purpose of this is to examine and make recommendations on structures and resources.

Further Education. (30 Mar 2004)

Séamus Pattison: We have exceeded the time allotted to Priority Questions. We now turn to non-Priority Questions. It is necessary to remind Members that the Minister's initial reply is subject to an upper limit of two minutes, and supplementary questions and answers to them are limited to one minute. The Chair intends to apply these limits.