Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There will be movement fairly soon on section 37. On DEIS schools we do not have the information here. I have spoken to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, because her Department is also involved and acts as a kind of link. The present interaction is not satisfactory. I am not sure what we can do about it, but I know it is a problem and I thank Senator Power for bringing it to my attention.

In response to Senator Moran's point, it is about trying to raise consciousness. We have advised the State Examinations Commission. For example, unemployed teachers will certainly be given preference. Unemployed people generally will get preference for invigilating examinations. For aural or oral examinations, if we can get the teachers, it is recommended. However, we need to come back and look at the triplication we have in the area of oral examinations. It is for down the road. It would be great if that could be done during the Easter holidays and it was possible to have teachers examining pupils from each other's schools.