Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount which has been set aside for 2006 to commence implementing the McIvor report on further education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7596/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's support for this important sector is clear from the fact that we have increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996-97. Indeed, the number of PLC places approved for 2005-6 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 grant scheme operates on the same basis as in higher education. There were nearly 8,000 PLC grant holders in 2005 and they received some €23 million in direct support. 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. This amounted to €5.5 million in 2005. It is evident that 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 McIvor report contains 21 over-arching recommendations, incorporating 91 sub-recommendations. It has been estimated, in consultation with management and staff interests, that the recommendations for staffing would involve at a minimum the creation of at least 800 new posts at a cost of over €48 million. This level of additional provision cannot be considered in isolation from other areas of education. It must be recognised that PLC provision is only one aspect of my Department's overall strategy in the field of further and adult education.

In their consideration of the needs of the PLC sector into the future, my officials have been examining, inter alia, the non-teaching educational tasks particular to PLC teachers, the demands on the management side and the challenges presented by the variation in size of PLC providers. Future decisions on funding in this area will be taken in the light of the prevailing priorities and the totality of demands for resources across the system. When their deliberations have been completed further discussions with the relevant stakeholders will be necessary.