Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While the State Examinations Commission, SEC, is responsible for the operation, delivery and development of State examinations, I am very much aware of the importance for students, parents and education stakeholders of ensuring that the results of the 2023 leaving certificate are delivered in as timely a manner as possible. While it is not yet in a position to confirm the date of those results, I have informed the SEC that my wish and expectation is to see them being issued in August. I engage on an ongoing basis with the SEC - indeed, I will meet it again this week - and it is clear on this point.

Last year was the first time since 2019 that written State examinations were undertaken by all students and the date for the issuing of results was influenced by a number of factors. I acknowledge the additional burdens that were placed on the SEC. These included a challenge in recruiting sufficient examiners, the welcome provision of a set of deferred examinations for candidates who experienced illness or bereavement, and the implementation of a post-marking adjustment, which gave effect to the commitment that results in 2022 would be no lower in the aggregate than in the previous year.

Regarding examiners specifically, it is of note that examination candidate numbers are 12% higher than they were ten years ago while examiner numbers are close to 20% lower over the same period. While this is not a new issue, it has been exacerbated over the course of the Covid pandemic. The SEC has undertaken a comprehensive review of the issue of contract staff recruitment, which includes extensive engagement with stakeholders. The core objective of the review process is to increase substantially the number of teachers involved in examination work so that the experience is a positive one that enhances teachers' professional competence as well as their earning power. The SEC has established a working group, which includes representatives of the management bodies and teacher unions, to consider measures to ensure the availability of teachers in the required numbers for this critical work into the future.

The cornerstone of the 2023 recruitment campaign is a new website where teachers can find all relevant information. Oral and practical examinations for the 2023 leaving certificate took place in March, April and May. I welcome that the SEC was able to recruit the required complement of examiners for these oral and practical components and that there was no issue with either.

Applications for positions as written examiners continue to be accepted and we encourage as many as possible to apply. In recent years, there have been significant increases in the rates paid to examiners. Funding has again been provided for these rates in 2023.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The typical earning range for a junior cycle examiner is between €4,858 and €5,010, while for leaving certificate examiners, it is between €7,721 and €10,844. These rates depend on the subject and the number of scripts marked.

The SEC and my Department are appreciative of the co-operation of schools and teachers in the successful administration and assessment of the State certificate examinations each year. The SEC advises that the multifaceted recruitment efforts for the 2023 examinations are having a positive impact on the level of interest in examining positions for the written examinations, but the process is ongoing and examiners are still needed.

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