asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to ensure that the results of the intermediate certificate examination will be available to students and teachers at the commencement of the September term in future years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Intermediate Certificate Examinations.
61.
I share the Deputy's concern that the results of the intermediate certificate examination should be available much earlier than they have been in recent years.
There is no simple solution, however. The Department's examinations have been increasing in size and complexity and the Examinations Branch, in common with the public service generally, is constrained in the staffing available to it.
In the longer term I am convinced that part of the solution, at least, lies in computerising the operations of the Examinations Branch. The present financial restraints prevent us from introducing computerisation straight away but plans are in hand to proceed with computerisation at the earliest opportunity. The implementation of a fully computerised system will of course extend over a number of years.
In the short term I am having the Examinations Branch examine its procedures and practices, and the organisation unit of my Department has carried out a management survey of the operations of the branch with a view to greater efficiency.
It is not possible at this stage to say what the effect of proposed changes will be, but it is my aim to have the results available as early as possible in the interests of all concerned.