Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am deputising for Deputy Jonathan O'Brien who is our spokesperson on education. He apologises for not being able to be present. I thank the three organisations for their presentations, all of which I found fascinating. This is a question for all three delegations. Do they feel that the new proposed cycle will provide a better holistic education while addressing the issue of providing people for the workforce? We are making wholesale changes to the cycle but does it mean we will educate our children better? Is it a step forward or a step backward? On the question of providing people for the workforce, Mr. Des Hogan mentioned the science phenomenon that if we want people in the IT sector, they must have a basis in science. If we need people who are good citizens, we need to have civil rights issues addressed.

I ask all three organisations what level of engagement, if any, they are having with the Department on these issues and whether this is the first engagement with the sector. I am sure it will different for the ASTI because of its outlook. Are the two other organisations being listened to by the Department?

On the independent assessment issue, obviously we have to look at this in the context of the leaving certificate, but will it be taken less seriously because it is done in school. Will there be a knock-on effect, therefore, in how children will be prepared when it comes to the leaving certificate given that they have not had the State examination scenario at junior certificate level?

In regard to the implementation group that has been set up, are the witnesses happy that its terms of reference are sufficient to address their concerns? Does it have enough scope to bring the issues to the table? Do the witnesses consider that the issues they raise can be addressed through the implementation group or are its terms of reference too narrow to focus on some of the issues?

Deputy McConalogue asked if the ASTI is sidelined because of the stance it has taken on the Haddington Road agreement vis-à-vis implementation of the new junior certificate cycle and the recommendations it has put forward. Is it getting a deaf ear from the Department or is the Department engaging with the ASTI wholesomely? Notwithstanding any labour issues there might be, the educational issues have to move forward. We cannot have a stalled process.