John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce extracurricular activities, such as hairdressing training during school hours in second level colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35473/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Hair and Beauty is one of the courses within the Leaving Certificate Applied programme. This vocational specialism facilitates personal development and provides an introduction to the knowledge and practical skills of hair care, beauty care, body care, customer care and salon care. It is useful as a preparation for employment or possible future training in the hairdressing or beauty business. Students can also apply the knowledge and skills acquired to improving their own personal presentation.

The LCA emphasises experiential learning practical project and portfolio work and the completion of Tasks throughout the cycle towards the final assessment . Courses are offered in 3 main areas -- vocational preparation and training,( including enterprise and a work experience programme and communications ) general education and vocational education. The programme is modular and vocational specialisms are chosen from the range which includes Agriculture/Horticulture, Hotel, Catering and Tourism, Engineering Technology Office Skills and Retail Distribution, Community Care, Construction/Manufacturing, Craft and Design IT, Hair Care Leisure Studies. Students are examined in English and Communications, 2 vocational specialisms, Mathematical Applications, Language (Irish and Modern European language) and Social education. Some 6700 students (2 year cohort) follow this option. Other than in the Leaving Certificate Applied there are no plans for the inclusion of Hairdressing in the second level curriculum.

It should also be noted that hairdressing awards approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council are also available in Post Leaving Certificate Courses, the Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme for unemployed adults, the Back to Education Initiative, programmes for early school leavers such as Youthreach and in FÁS programmes, both as major and minor awards.