James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 934: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she will increase the number of post leaving certificate places in Longford Vocational Education Committee by an additional 30 and provide for two new courses for 2010/2011, photography and engineering technology, which are required to meet demand in view of the fact that County Longford does not have a third level college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15193/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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There were a total of 31,688 approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places available nationwide for 2009/2010 academic year, including an additional 1,500 places announced in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget. This level of provision is being maintained for the 2010/2011 academic year.

As part of the annual application process for PLC places, VECs and other providers apply for sanction to run courses and for approval for a number of places.

County Longford VEC was allocated a total of 350 PLC places for the 2009/2010 academic year, which included 20 of the 1,500 additional places and this level of provision is being maintained for the 2010/2011 academic year. County Longford VEC also received sanction to operate a range of PLC courses, including the two new courses referred to by the Deputy.

It is for County Longford VEC to decide which sanctioned courses it operates from within its approved allocation of PLC places.