Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision to impose a 19 to 1 student teacher ratio for further education colleges which deal with the creative arts, such as Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin 10, in order to ensure that courses are not lost and students denied an opportunity to develop their creative potential. [17449/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on concerns expressed regarding the impact that the increase in the pupil teacher ratio from 17:1 – 19:1 in the FET sector will have on a college (details supplied) in Dublin 10 resulting in the possible loss of 10 teaching posts, or 20% of teachers who are employed on a part-time basis at the college and the ending of specialised courses in animation, the fine arts, crafts, graphic design and film studies. [17564/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 72 together.

The college referred to by the Deputies is operated as an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre by City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee (CDVEC). Resources are allocated by my Department under the PLC programme to CDVEC and further distribution of these resources to colleges under its remit, is a matter for CDVEC.

As you are aware all VECs will have until next September to plan for the reduced allocation across their schools/colleges so that they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers. My Department has received an impact statement from CDVEC on the effect of the regression in the PLC pupil teacher ratio on each of its PLC centres. This is currently being considered along with impact statements from a number of other VECs.