Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

These proposals were initially announced by the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Noel Dempsey, over a year ago. The Minister has outlined what she intends to do but has not given indications of a timeframe for completion of this project.

I agree that standardised testing is important, but we need to know the base line skills of children, particularly when they are moving on to second level. The release of information in schools could be guided by standardised testing and pupils' baseline skills coming into the system.

There is much concern about how the timeframe will work and not having the test on the one day so that it does not appear like the 11 plus, which would put pressure on children at too young an age. Will the Minister address these issues? When will the testing begin? I am aware it happens in schools on a less formal level but when will the actual standardised testing begin in schools?

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