Many RTC places fail to be filled as demand falls away

THE RTCs are facing the embarrassing prospect of several hundred empty places as a result of a drop in demand for many certificate and diploma courses.

More than 30 RTC courses remain unfilled after the first round of offers from the Central Applications Office (CAO) this week. While some of these are expected to fill up in subsequent rounds, three colleges have already decided to re advertise 21 courses.

In contrast, the Minister for Education is continuing to press universities to create more places. Ms Breathnach wants universities to take in an additional 400 students this year, and says an extra £1.4 million is available through the Higher Education Authority.

However, the colleges are unhappy with the amount offered. They are holding out for a commitment to long term funding for any additional students.

If agreement is reached, most places may be created in "cheap" areas, such as arts, commerce or science. Disciplines such as engineering and medicine would benefit little from the expansion.

The RTCs have been worst affected by the fall of almost 4,000 in applications to the CAO this year. While demand for university degrees has remained buoyant, the points requirements for most diploma and certificate courses are down.

The points needed for some courses fell so low - down to 50 points in some cases - that the CAO decided not to publish the figures. Instead, more than 20 RTC courses were marked "AQA", meaning that "all qualified applicants" were offered a place.

Meanwhile, Ms Breathnach has ordered Carl ow RTC not to expand its intake at outreach centres the college established this year in Kilkenny and Wexford. The college undertook the £600,000 expansion without receiving formal approval from the Minister, a Department spokesman said yesterday.

The Minister has allowed the college to proceed with the enrolment of students on six courses offered in the outreach centres this autumn. College officers pointed out that the courses were listed in the CAO handbook, and school leavers had already submitted their applications. However, the RTC has been told not to expand further in Kilkenny and Wexford.

With the number of Leaving Cert students down by about 7,000 this year, a sharp fall in demand for Post Leaving Certificate courses is forecast. Enrolments could fall by as much as 3,000 over last year, according to one estimate.

The Teachers' Union of Ireland is to decide next week whether it will agree to the transfer of any of its members to other areas, if their PLC courses are cut.