My Department has made a submission to the Department of Finance for additional staff in accordance with procedures set down by Government. Discussions with officials of that Department are continuing.
As I previously indicated to Deputy Martin in my reply to his question on 5 March 1997, the work of the examinations branch of my Department 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 approach taken to managing this pattern involves a combination of core permanent staffing, temporary employees and overtime working.
As the Deputy is aware, industrial action has been undertaken by members of the Public Service Executive Union in my Department. The action involves members of the 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. However in mid-March, arising from discussions between the Department and the union and following representations to the union by the National Parents' Council, the union agreed to co-operate with the implementation of assessment and examination arrangements for the leaving certificate applied programme. The assessment of task-work has proceeded satisfactorily and will be completed on Friday, 18 April. Arrangements for the remaining examinations for the leaving certificate applied are progressing satisfactorily. All other arrangements for the leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations are on schedule.
The present position on the industrial relations front is that, following lengthy discussions, my Department has made an offer to the Public Service Executive Union in an effort fully to resolve the dispute. A ballot of the members of the union is being held to consider the matter. It is expected that the result of the ballot will be communicated to the Department early next week. I hope a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at quickly.
