Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to review the allocation of teachers on post-leaving certificate courses? PLCs have provided an important opportunity to many people from disadvantaged backgrounds to re-enter the education system or engage in training. It is of the utmost importance that such courses should be retrained. Under the new allocation, many of the courses will have to cease, thereby denying training to those who need it. The Minister has requested the House many times to allow him to provide for disadvantaged people to enter third level but, through this allocation, he will deny such access. I ask the Leader to request the Minister to review this issue as a matter of urgency in order that additional places will be provided on PLCs in the 2004-05 school year.