John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the hours of tutors have been cut in relation to a higher national diploma course (details supplied) being run by Kilkenny Vocational Educational Committee; if the reduced staffing hours will lead to a reduction of the modules to five for the years 2005-06; the way in which the remaining 11 modules can or will be delivered in the year 2006-07; if those participating in the course will be fully informed of the changes to the delivery of the course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31929/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Teacher allocations to second level schools and vocational education committees, VECs, are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Apart from meeting requirements in respect of the provision of core subjects, the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities concerned having regard to its approved teacher allocation. My Department has approved some 410 VPT, PLC, places and an allocation of 25.63 wholetime teacher equivalents for the provision of VPT, PLC, courses at County Kilkenny VEC for the 2005-06 academic year. This allocation is based on a pupil teacher ratio of 16:1. The distribution of student places and the attendant teacher allocation across individual schools is an operational matter for County Kilkenny VEC.