Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment proposed by Senator Wilson.

A month ago, the delay in upgrading a leaving certificate examination result caused trouble for a courageous student in Wexford, who, thankfully, was able to secure her college place.  It is time for the Minister for Education and Skills to address this debacle.  Every year the same crisis seems to develop.  We hear there is a shortage of qualified markers for the various subjects.  It is not rocket science.  It will happen again next summer unless the Minister takes action now.  At one stage I was very involved in that business.  I was a senior marker or supervisor of English leaving certificate papers.  I know how difficult it is and the volume of work involved.  The Minister will need to address pay levels for the people who volunteer to do this.  It is important to have working teachers doing the marking because retired teachers and others are not au faitwith the curriculum.  To ensure a proper marking system with results out on time for students to avail of the best CAO choices and options available for them, we need to work on it now.  I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to discuss the matter in the House so that we can let him know our concerns.