Vol. 475 No. 7
164 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education the reason the deadlines pertaining to the leaving certificate applied programme were postponed by her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the anger and disillusionment felt by the teachers who have worked arduously to promote and teach this programme; the plans, if any, which are in hand to rectify this situation; and whether other programmes will be affected. [5864/97]
The assessment of taskwork in the case of leaving certificate applied students has been postponed because of industrial action by members of the Public Service Executive Union in pursuit of a staffing demand. This action involves members of that union refusing to carry out work related to vacant posts and to co-operate with any new work or scheme which they deem to require additional resources. Industrial action of this nature has the affect of slowing the flow of work to a greater or lesser extent. In the Athlone offices the principal effect has been delays in the completion of administrative processes relating to the leaving certificate applied programme.
I am fully aware of the disappointment and disruption caused to schools, teachers, students and examiners by this postponement. It is intended to reschedule the assessment of taskwork at the earliest opportunity. Arrangements for the rescheduling of the assessments will be undertaken in a flexible manner following consultation with the parties concerned. My Department is continuing to pursue all options open to it in seeking a resolution to this difficult industrial relations problem.
