Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of removing post-leaving certificate participation fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12182/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The 2011 Budget provided for the introduction of a €200 annual Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme participant contribution. This was introduced at the start of the 2011/2012 academic year and the same charge has applied each year since then.

Full medical card holders, in their own right as well as their dependent children, those eligible under the student grant scheme and those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances are exempt from paying the contribution. Approximately 60% of PLC learners in any given year are exempt from paying the charge.

The estimated cost of removing the PLC participant charge is approximately €3 million annually.