512 Deputy Joe Behan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in full and part-time education excluding first level, second level, universities and institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8861/10]

For learners who wish to access learning opportunities outside the mainstream provision identified by the Deputy, my Department allocates funds to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) to provide a suite of full-time and part-time further education programmes.

For the current academic year (2009/2010), there are just over 41,000 approved full-time places available in Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC, 31,688), Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS, 5,000), Youthreach (3,692) and Senior Traveller Training Centres (STTCs, 984).

In relation to PLC in particular, based on the annual school returns, the total enrolment nationwide was some 38,500. I understand that the other full-time programmes are fully subscribed.

Over 2010, part-time further education opportunities will be provided for an estimated 125,000 participants under the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), Adult Literacy and Community Education schemes.

This gives an estimated total of over 170,000 learners in full-time and part-time further education funded by my Department.