TUI: 30,000 students miss out on PLC places

The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) today outlined new figures which show that the number of applications for places in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses in colleges of further education has risen sharply with the economic downturn.

The union estimates that 30,000 applicants have already been unsuccessful in obtaining a place on a PLC course and has called for a removal of the cap that limits student numbers in such colleges.

The union is calling for colleges to be given the resources to accommodate more students as a matter of urgency.

"TUI has consulted with colleges of Further Education across the country in recent days," union President Don Ryan said.

"Trends are the same in every province and in every town and city. Whether it is Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Limerick, Sligo or Galway, colleges have long waiting lists of applicants who now have little hope of obtaining a place on a PLC course.

"On average there are two applicants for every PLC place, or a staggering 60,000 applications for just half the number of places."

Mr Ryan said PLC courses are a very cost-effective way of upskilling the population and restrictions on places make no economic, social or educational sense.