Vol. 476 No. 3
103 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, she will take to address serious departmental staff shortages in Athlone, County Westmeath, affecting among others the examination branch; and if she will give assurances that 1997's leaving and junior certificate examinations will not be adversely affected by the inadequate staffing levels. [6932/97]
The work of the examinations branch of my Department is a yearly cycle which rises to a peak in the summer months. The peak period is from the start of the certificate examinations in June to the issue of the junior certificate results in mid-September. The resources employed in managing this pattern comprise a core permanent staffing complement augmented by temporary employees and overtime working.
Industrial action is being taken by members of the Public Service Executive Union in my Department. 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 effect of slowing the flow of work to a greater or lesser extent.
I am very conscious of the need to resolve these industrial relations problems. Every effort is being made by my Department to that end. I hope that a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at very quickly.
