Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will support the funding of the McIver report and the TUI in its request for the necessary funding of this report's recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37645/05]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the moneys which have been allocated for the implementation of the McIver report on the 2006 Estimates; if she intends implementing the report and over what period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37759/05]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 470: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will seek funding in the context of the 7 December 2005 budget to commence the implementation of the McIver report in order that the further education sector can be properly resourced and structured and that the 28,000 students in that sector will be given an equality of esteem with other students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37992/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 423, 427 and 470 together.

This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure there is a wide range of course options available in the further and higher education sectors for young people who wish to continue their studies after second level and for people returning to education later in life.

Post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses represent one such option. The Government's support for this hugely important sector is clear from the fact that we have increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996-97. The number of PLC places approved for 2005-06 is up by more than 1,600 on the 2004-05 level. The number of approved places in the sector now stands at 30,188. Government support for the sector is evident not only in the expansion of approved places and teachers, but also in the introduction of maintenance grants for students with effect from September 1998. Tuition fees for PLC courses are waived. The PLC maintenance grants scheme operates on the same basis as in higher education. There are nearly 8,000 PLC grant holders in 2005 and they will receive some €23 million in direct support.

Other developments funded by the Department of direct benefit to the PLC sector include the provision of national certification under the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the development of progression links with higher education in the institutes of technology. PLC students are included in the calculation of non-pay budgets issued to schools in respect of running costs. A supplemental non-pay grant towards running costs specifically for PLC schools is also payable and this will amount to €5.5 million in 2005. Government commitment to the sector, by reference to the resources applied in teachers' pay, non-pay running costs, student support and certification costs is very significant.

The McIver report contains 21 overarching recommendations, incorporating 91 sub-recommendations. Having regard to the number and scope of the recommendations in the report, extensive consultations have been held with management and staff interests with regard to such issues as the prioritisation of recommendations, the structural changes envisaged in the report, their implications and associated costs in the context of the overall provision of resources for further and adult education.

Active consideration is being given to all the issues involved. While this work is ongoing, extra investment has been provided in the 2006 Estimates to develop the PLC sector further and to improve supports for other aspects of further-adult education. The Estimates include provision for the cost of the extra 100 teaching posts being provided for the post-leaving certificate colleges in the current academic year. They also provide for an increase of 19% in the VTOS non-pay grant in 2006.

The Government has shown a sustained determination to expand and improve further and adult education in recent years. We believe strongly in the value of this sector and will continue to prioritise it for resources and supports in the years ahead.