Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Department of Education Dispute.

Mr. Martin

I tabled this matter on the Adjournment to seek a guarantee from the Minister that the junior and leaving certificate examinations will not be jeopardised by the ongoing industrial dispute in the Department of Education, particularly in the examinations branch in Athlone. Before Christmas I received correspondence from personnel in the examinations branch in Athlone outlining their concerns about under staffing and the failure to implement the recommendations of the Price Waterhouse report on the proper organisation of the examinations system. That report was published as a result of the debacle in the arts examination in 1995. It is disgraceful that, given the serious consequences of that debacle, the recommendations of Price Waterhouse have not been implemented.

The Minister must outline his intentions in regard to this year's junior and leaving certificate examinations. There has already been serious disruption of the leaving certificate applied programme. It is disappointing that assessments due to take place on 1 February for the leaving certificate applied, an excellent programme designed for students for whom the curriculum does not suit, were cancelled because of the dispute by the PSEU in Athlone. Sample papers for the leaving certificate applied were sent out over a month late and students await news on the organisation and completion of their assessments prior to June.

Students on the leaving certificate applied programme have been treated appallingly. Because their number is small, they have not got the attention they deserve. I have received a considerable amount of correspondence from schools whose students will sit the leaving certificate applied articulating their disgust and frustration that the Department and the Minister, in particular, allowed this situation to continue without intervening to ensure a resolution of the dispute. The attitude seemed to be that because only 3,000 students were involved and not the full cohort of leaving certificate students, the dispute could sit on the back burner. The students concerned feel they were neglected and not given the attention they deserved.

The dispute has been ongoing since before Christmas. We are now approaching the end of March which is a critical time for the organisation of the junior and leaving certificate examinations. At this time additional hours are worked and staff are brought in on a short-term basis from outside the Department. Given the considerable delays in terms of the organisation of the examinations, I am concerned we may face serious organisational difficulties this year. Will the Minister state clearly her intention as regards resolving this dispute?

Apparently there is a conflict between the Department of Education and the Department of Finance in relation to a resolution of this dispute. This Minister and her advisers told staff they made representations to the Department of Finance on additional staffing in the examinations branch but that it is turning a deaf ear to their entreaties. I would appreciate if the Minister would elaborate on this point and outline what is happening as regards the appointment of additional staff in Athlone. I received correspondence from the Department, some of which was anonymous, but its detail showed it was from people who were informed, stating that morale is at an all time low in the Department of Education.

This Minister stands indicated on a poor industrial relations record. The staff situation in the Department is difficult. Staff are demoralised and believe nobody is looking after their interests. The ongoing failure to resolve the dispute with teachers about early retirement and so on under the PCW agreement is only now coming to a resolution, although management is not satisfied. This Minister seems to have a difficulty organising the industrial relations framework in her Department. This dispute is a further manifestation of that inability to manage the Department properly, efficiently and effectively. I plead with the Minister to guarantee that this dispute will not jeopardise the preparation and organisation of this year's State examination because students face enough stress and trauma without having to face uncertainty about their examinations.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Allen)

I reject out of hand the suggestion that because only a small number of students are involved, this dispute is dragging on. As far as the Department is concerned, every student counts. The industrial action which is being taken by members of the Public Service Executive Union in my Department involves members of that union refusing to carry out work related to vacant posts and refusing 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. 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 pleased to say that, following discussions between my Department and the union, the union has agreed to co-operate in the arrangements for the leaving certificate applied. Following this agreement, my Department has contacted schools by telephone to ascertain when the assessment of taskwork, postponed from February, can be rescheduled. As a result of these consultations, schools and examiners have been informed, by letter issued on 20 March, that the taskwork will be examined in the period from 8 to 18 April. Schools have been informed that where there is a particular difficulty with this schedule, my Department should be notified so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Sample papers for the final written examinations and assignment briefs for the final practical examinations were issued to schools on 19 March. The final written examinations and assessment of the final practical examinations are scheduled to take place in June. I am glad to say that arrangements for the junior certificate and for the established leaving certificate, including arrangements for holding oral and practical examinations, are now proceeding broadly to schedule.

In relation to the oral examinations, briefing conferences for examiners have taken place and these examinations will be held, as scheduled, in the period from 14 April to 25 April. Arrangements for holding the written examinations are also proceeding to schedule.

Discussions with the Public Service Executive Union are continuing in an effort to fully resolve the dispute. The issue is a staffing claim and is a particularly difficult one in the context of the need to balance the demands of the union against Government policy on recruitment. The claim is also being considered in circumstances where the resources required for running the examinations are currently the subject of a work survey which is nearing completion.

I am conscious of the need to comment with care and sensitivity on a matter which is the subject of ongoing discussions. I welcome the spirit which moved the union to resume co-operation with the arrangements for the leaving certificate applied. I am confident an accommodation will shortly be arrived at which will be satisfactory to both sides and will be in the best interests of candidates.