Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I do not. The Deputy said himself that teachers want leaving certificate reform. It is something they agree with. I point to the fact 73% of TUI members voted in favour of the measures. The ASTI and the TUI engaged very positively with my Department on this package of measures and asked for much of what is in this document. The vote was not on whether they support leaving certificate reform or otherwise; it was on whether they wanted additional supports to enact something they have already agreed to. Both the ASTI and the TUI as part of the public sector pay agreement which was negotiated and agreed in early 2024 signed up to co-operating with senior cycle redevelopment at that stage. A similar commitment is contained in the education sectoral plan, which was agreed in September 2024. All of what we have discussed are additional supports to protect them. To answer the Deputy’s first question, my Department has written to both associations. I noted the outcome of the ballots of both the TUI and the ASTI and have restated that leaving certificate reform will go ahead. It is absolutely essential it does. I have restated that the package of supports which is still on the table for the ASTI is balanced and fair and was brought about by that positive engagement. That package is still there. I want to ensure that students and teachers benefit from those supports, which is something we all want to see happen.

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