Liz O'Donnell (Dublin South, Progressive Democrats)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the consideration that is being given to extending recognition and additional funding to schools and colleges of all sizes providing further education or post-leaving certificate courses generally and in particular a college (details supplied) in Dublin 14; the progress that has been made on implementing the recommendations of the McIver review of the development of a high quality post-leaving certificate sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5158/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy is part of the County Dublin VEC scheme. In respect of the 2005-06 academic year, my Department increased the number of approved plc places in County Dublin VEC by 200 from 730 to 930. Statistical returns in respect of County Dublin VEC indicate that 880 students were enrolled in plc courses at the end of September 2005, of whom 222 were enrolled in the school in question.

The Government's support for the post-leaving certificate 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 were nearly 8,000 plc grant holders in 2005 and they will receive €23 million in direct support.

Students of plc courses 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. This amounted to €5.5 million in 2005. Other developments funded by my 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.

The McIver report contains 21 over-arching 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 further education sector and to improve supports for other aspects of further and adult education.