Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, I was very disappointed that the leaders of the teaching unions did not accept the independent recommendations of Mr. Travers. The Deputy mentioned the roll-out of the science programme. One of recommendations made by Mr. Travers was that we should delay the roll-out of that programme. I am willing to accept that recommendation as part of the totality of his report. Elements of his report were challenging to me as well as to the teaching unions. We are going to go ahead with the reform of the junior cycle and I hope there will be re-engagement on behalf of the unions, but it must be on the basis of Mr. Travers's recommendations. There are other issues and we can engage on them if and when the unions come back into discussions.

My officials have already met with the other partners in education and we are going to have an information session towards the end of March to explain how the roll-out will happen and what the next steps will be. We have also put online the continuous professional development for teachers. We want to engage with teachers on the implementation of the reforms. The English teachers are those who are directly involved currently, since the English programme has started. I am anxious to engage with teachers of English to ensure they get the continuous professional development available to them so that they are confident, when the time comes, to make assessments. That will not come for another year, so we have a good period of time still in which to work with teachers and all of the partners in education. I hope to see some consideration from the teaching unions in regard to what is on the table.