467 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide maintenance grants to students in post leaving certificate and further education courses in view of the dire financial straits in which many of these students currently find themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/97]

The programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, provides a commitment to the introduction of equitable support of students attending PLC courses. The commitment in the programme for Government reflects the importance which the Government attaches to students in the PLC sector.

The cost of introducing a means tested support scheme for PLC students along the lines of the higher education grants scheme would be of the order of £13 million per annum. My Department is providing over £39 million this year towards the running costs of PLC courses which are playing a key role in preparing young people for employment and further education-training. These courses are a significant element of the Government's response to meeting the skill needs of the Irish economy.

In the international teleservices area, I have approved the provision of 690 places in 20 selected centres under which a two year NCVA level three PLC course is being provided as part of the national response to emerging skill needs of the industry. This has been accompanied by an investment of £1.5 million in the selected centres to enable them to provide a quality programme consistent with industry needs. As this new initiative involves extensive placement abroad, a new student support scheme is being introduced towards the cost of the overseas placement.