Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Feb 2001

Vol. 529 No. 3

Priority Questions. - State Examinations.

Enda Kenny

Question:

1 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if the aural, oral, practical and written elements of the junior certificate and leaving certificate examinations will take place in 2001; if he will ensure that such examinations will be seen to be fair and non-discriminatory; if he will further confirm the practicality or otherwise of implementing a contingency plan in the event of some secondary teachers not being available to participate in examination supervision and marking; the proposals he has to make up for time lost for junior certificate and leaving certificate pupils due to strike action by secondary school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2774/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am pleased that both the ASTI and the Government teams were able to reach agreement on a way forward. The process now agreed can contribute greatly to improved industrial relations between the parties. Great credit is due to the facilitator, Mr. Tom Pomphrett of the Labour Relations Commission, for his expertise and professionalism and I again express my public thanks to him in this respect. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to make further comment on the broader issues while the Labour Court process is continuing.

I assure the Deputy and all students and their parents that the 2001 certificate examinations will proceed without diminution in either their integrity or validity. As I have indicated, the results of the examinations may issue later than usual if delays are experienced during the marking process. Some delay may be unavoidable in the case of the junior certificate. The priority will be to ensure that standards are maintained. It is essential that the high reputation enjoyed by our public examinations continues and that public confidence in the examination system is preserved.

In regard to contingency arrangements, I consider it incumbent on me as Minister to safeguard the examinations and, to that end, I have asked my Department to develop contingency plans for conducting and marking the examinations having regard to the necessity of maintaining a quality approach to the marking process.

Resolution of the dispute remains the top priority. Preparation of alternative arrangements is simply prudent in the interests of the students. It is my sincere hope that there can be a resolution of the dispute through the work of the Labour Court and that, consequently, there will be no need to activate the contingency plans.

The position in regard to time lost because of the dispute is that I am prepared to explore with the school representative bodies how the time available for tuition can be maximised for all examination candidates over the balance of the school year. I would in particular encourage students to remain at school for tuition to the very end of the final term and thereby to get the benefit of all available class time rather than engage in the usual practice of absenting themselves from school during the final days of the term.

Mr. Kenny

I thank the Minister for his reply. I also commend Mr. Pomphrett for his work to date in respect of this matter. The Minister will recall that, in October or November of last year, I recommended that the matter should be referred to the Labour Relations Commission, and that has now happened.

Will the Minister indicate whether, in the discussions that have taken place, the ASTI has given a guarantee that there will be no further disruption of or threat to this year's examinations? The contingency plans that have been prepared may not have to be used because, as the Minister will be aware, the secretary general gave a guarantee to a committee of the House that the examinations would proceed but that he would prefer teachers to be involved in the process. What arrangements have been made in respect of pupils who have lost time as a result of strike days or work to rule days and who are at a disadvantage in terms of attempting to compete in the examinations this summer?

Dr. Woods

With regard to the LRC, I was anxious to encourage any form of intercession that was agreeable to both sides. There came a time in the dispute when this process was agreed upon and could be pursued. I welcome this development.

In relation to the guarantees, in its letter the ASTI indicated that all industrial action would be suspended while the talks were in progress. We hope that those talks can be successful. In that event, the issue of a threat to the examinations will not arise.

The Deputy's third question related to the effect of the strike on students. We are discussing that matter at present in terms of how best to proceed. As the Deputy may be aware, some schools are making particular arrangements. We will be trying to co-ordinate action of this kind and it will have our full support.

Mr. Kenny

Is the Minister satisfied that the examinations will take place on time? Does he believe that the marking process will operate in the normal way? Will he give students a guarantee that a level playing field will apply and that the requisite arrangements will be made to allow them to make up for lost time?

Dr. Woods

I do not want to place too great an emphasis on the contingency plans at present. As far as we are concerned, they are ready to be put in place if necessary. I assure the Deputy that the examinations will be held. At this stage it appears that there will be only a minimal delay in the issuing of the leaving certificate results. As far as the junior certificate is concerned, it appears that the results may be delayed by three to four weeks. I do not want to say too much because I want the talks to be successful.

I am hopeful that the talks will succeed because, as the Deputy is aware, the review body on higher remuneration in the public service has shown that the benchmarking process works and that it can ensure fair treatment and a comparison with the private sector. The PPF, for the first time with such an agreement, includes benchmarking. Concerns were expressed about how it would work and what would be the outcome. However, it appears that it is fair and reasonable as a means of comparison between the public and private sectors. Judges, hospital consultants, Deputies and Senators, higher public servants and employees of semi-State bodies have found that benchmarking works in their favour. In my opinion it will also work in favour of teachers. Senator Joe O'Toole of the INTO and Jim Dorney of the TUI have both made statements indicating that they recognise that fact. The review body's work is a good example of benchmarking in operation and if the process is given the opportunity to succeed it will do so.