John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The McIver Report, which was a review the PLC programme, contained 21 over-arching recommendations, which incorporated 91 sub-recommendations. It was estimated at the time, 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.

However, it should be noted that in the publication “Towards 2016 Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 2006-2015”, it stated that "having regard to developments in the PLC sector, including the McIver Report, concrete prioritised proposals in relation to PLC provision and focussed in particular on the larger PLC providers will be prepared and will be subject of further negotiations between management and unions. The level of resources for the PLC sector will be determined in the light of resources generally and the implications for other areas of education. The union side will engage positively in relation to commitments on future working arrangement and developments in the sector. Student numbers will be subject to audit on an on-going basis. The scope for rationalisation of provision will also be examined having due regard to ensuring appropriate provision on a geographic basis and the necessary critical mass for delivery of a quality education service.”

The Further and Education and Training sector has been reformed significantly since this time with the establishment of SOLAS and the restructuring of the 33 Vocational Education Centres (VECs) into 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

The Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2014-2020, which was published in April 2014, sets out the direction of FET for this period on both a national and regional basis. This Strategy has led to changes to provision in the FET sector with improved quality, a focus on employment focused programmes and basic skills. There is also a greater emphasis on employer engagement, planning and the promotion of the standing of FET. The strategy also aims to improve access and to support learners of all abilities across FET programmes.

In January 2018, the Department published the ESRI report, along with the SOLAS response, on the evaluation of the PLC programme. The ESRI report provides a solid evidence base to inform future policy development for the programme.  It will ensure that provision is planned to meet the needs of learners and employers, taking into account the changed context, particularly in the labour market, since the PLC programme was established in the mid 80s.

The evaluation confirms the positive role played by PLC courses in providing education for a diverse range of learners, highlighting that on average PLC learners are 16% more likely to be employed and 27% more likely to have progressed to higher education, than those who left education with the Leaving Certificate alone.  It also points to a greater need to develop systems to ensure that PLC courses focused on the labour market are aligned with employer requirements and are responsive to changing labour market needs.

Arising from the evaluation, SOLAS has established the PLC Programme Improvement Advisory Committee, comprised of PLC partners, to oversee development and implementation of a three year programme improvement plan. Based on the recommendations set out in the SOLAS response, implementation of the plan will ensure delivery of high quality education and training supporting learners to achieve their progression and employment goals.