Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost if post-leaving certificate course fees were reduced by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24418/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The only centrally determined payment for the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme is the €200 PLC participant contribution. This amount is not payable by persons with a medical card, as well as a number of other categories, which means that approximately 60% of PLC participants do not pay the contribution. The estimated cost to reduce the PLC participant contribution by 50% is in the region of €1.2 million.

It should be noted that PLC colleges are also permitted to charge PLC participants for the following and these charges are set locally -

- Books, uniforms/clothing or other equipment which become the personal property of the participant

- Student Services

- Registration charges by professional bodies

- Examination fees.