Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

The Minister said she intends "to take action on this issue in a measured and well-thought-out way". I think the pace of change is far too slow. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's proposals are well thought-out and can be enacted over a considerable period of time, allowing for preparation in the schools etc. Will the Minister produce a timetable for introducing the measures which were proposed in the council's report, which was published in April 2005? In the introduction to its proposals, the council states that they are designed specifically to concentrate on students who are being left out of the system and are dropping out, or are not doing as well as they should. The report states specifically that the council's proposals are designed to encourage more students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to stay in school. Is the Minister concerned that such students are still being failed by the system? There does not seem to be any sense of urgency to do something about it. Many people acknowledge that the leaving certificate applied programme is appropriate for certain students who are not very interested in academic subjects. Will she ensure the programme gets proper recognition, not only in the CAO system which governs entry to third level education but also in the world of work generally? That is one of the most important things we need to do if all students in the system are to enjoy parity of esteem.

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