Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the briefing. Will she elaborate on the expansion of the primary substitute teacher supply panels? What will be the increase?

On leaving certificate reform, there is concern about the moving of paper 1 to the end of fifth year in both Irish and English. I met representatives of Conradh na Gaeilge in September and there was concern that students may not be fully prepared at the end of fifth year. Many students go to the Gaeltacht during the summer of fifth year and that stands to them when they come to sit both papers 1 and 2 in Irish. I was certainly one of those students a long time ago and I benefited from the time I spent in the Gaeltacht when it came to sitting papers 1 and 2 in sixth year.

How much consultation has the Minister had with teachers and pupils and organisations such as Conradh na Gaeilge in respect of the Irish exam and the change in that regard, and what are her views on the matter?