Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school teachers who have participated in the new round of training for junior certificate reforms; her plans for implementing junior certificate reforms; if she will agree to fresh talks with teacher unions to address outstanding issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15508/15]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I am asking the Minister for an update on junior certificate reform, with specific reference to the impasse that has resulted from the handling of this issue by the Department of Education and Skills. In particular, I would like the Minister to update us on the uptake by second-level teachers of the recent professional development courses that were provided by the Department.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Junior Cycle for Teachers support service team has organised training seminars for English teachers during April. Unfortunately, the main second level teaching unions have issued directives to their members not to attend and have picketed training locations. As a result, just 16 teachers have attended the seminars held over the last few days. It is deeply regrettable that individual teachers have been put in a position in which they feel obliged to decline to avail of the rich learning experiences and dedicated time for learning on offer. It is wrong of any union to seek to deny opportunities for personal professional learning and development to its members. I have accepted Dr. Pauric Travers's revised and clarified proposal of 23 February as the basis for agreement on the implementation of junior cycle reform. I am now proceeding with implementation on the basis of the Travers proposal. I remain open to the unions coming on board and working with my Department and the other education partners in implementing the new programme using the Travers proposal as a basis for agreement. This requires a willingness on their part to suspend industrial action now.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. Given that just 16 teachers have participated in the training for the new English curriculum so far this year, how exactly does she plan to go ahead with the assessment parts of that curriculum next year? Is that at all feasible? Last year, I called for the postponement of the introduction of the new English curriculum pending agreement with teachers. We need to see the Minister sitting down once again with the teaching unions to see whether an agreed way forward can be reached. I do not think it is fair on students for the Minister to drive on during this impasse without teachers having had the appropriate training. Equally, I do not think it is fair on teachers to be expected to do assessment next year. It seems the Minister is requiring that of them even though they have not participated in proper training because of this disagreement.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I hope this issue will be resolved in the near future. It certainly can be resolved if the teaching unions accept the Travers proposals as the basis for discussion and agreement. We can discuss issues around resources, etc., on that basis. The actual assessments will not begin for almost a year. I urge the teaching unions to avail of that period of time. The other stakeholders - representatives of parents and students, management bodies, principals and deputy principals - want us to go ahead with this. We have informed them that the training is available. As soon as we get agreement and the ban on attending is removed by the teaching unions, we can certainly go ahead and provide the training. We have no problem being as flexible as possible in providing the training that teachers, with 16 exceptions, have not actually attended as of now.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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My understanding is that we are very close to a resolution. I understand that the gulf or difference between what the unions are saying to the Minister and what is currently on the table is not huge. A little push is needed. I know the Minister has gone some way to try to resolve this. I have spoken privately to her about how close we are to resolving it. The remaining issues seem to relate to second and third year, the assessment process, the issue of ongoing assessment and the question of external accreditation. I do not think it has got to a position in which it cannot be resolved. Maybe both sides have become a little entrenched. My personal opinion is that the Minister is probably more keen to do a deal than some of her officials. If the officials were left outside the door and the Minister just sat down with the union leadership by herself, maybe we could resolve this much more quickly.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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It should be recognised that we have arrived at this place because the process of bringing in the reform was mishandled to a large extent previously. The approach that was taken, which involved dictating the terms of reform rather than doing it in partnership, led to entrenchment. I agree that there is a basis for dealing with the outstanding issues. Teachers have genuine concerns. It is particularly important that we see the Minister sitting down with the teaching unions before the summer period to try to address these issues one-to-one and head on in order to reach a resolution.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I agree that the gulf is not very big. I ask the unions to look again at the way in which the Travers proposals suggest the certificate should operate. There is a lot in that to address their concerns.

I want to make it clear that there is no difference between my officials and myself. I assure Deputy O'Brien that we are working as a team. We are in constant consultation.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I do not believe that for a second.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Therefore, I do not propose to take up the Deputy's suggestion. Obviously, I have had discussions with union leaders in various situations, including at the TUI conference, although obviously not with the other union in that situation. I hope we will be able to sit down together in the very near future. I believe the veto is currently on the side of the teaching unions, rather than on my side.