Vol. 474 No. 6
173 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if she is concerned at the postponement of the examination of the project for LCA students; the disruption this is causing; and the proposals, if any, she has to rectify the situation. [3620/97]
I am very concerned that, because of industrial action by members of the Public Service Executive Union is pursuit of a staffing demand, it has been necessary to postpone the assessment of taskwork in the case of leaving certificate applied students. My Department is currently pursuing all options open to it in seeking a resolution to this difficult industrial relations problem.
It is intended to reschedule the assessment of taskwork at the earliest opportunity. In this regard my Department is aware of, and regrets, the disruption which the postponement of the assessment has caused to both schools, students and examiners. Arrangements for the rescheduling of the assessments will be undertaken in a flexible manner following consultation with the parties concerned.
Every consideration will be given to candidates to ensure that the delay caused by this industrial relations dispute will not adversely affect the results achieved by candidates for their work.
