James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ryan and thank her for raising this issue with me today. I will set out the context around the query before answering as Members may not be familiar with the issue that arises and the surrounding circumstances, so it might be helpful to the debate.

A locally devised assessment, LDA, refers to an assessment created by a further education and training, FET, provider to evaluate learners’ skills and competencies in a specific course or module. These assessments align with the learning outcomes set by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, or potentially other awarding bodies and are designed locally to suit the needs of learners and courses.

Many FET courses focus on skills-based learning, so LDAs often involve practical tasks, projects, or portfolios rather than just written exams. LDA fees are paid to assessors in respect of their work in devising and assessing QQI modules on full-time programmes at levels 5 and 6 of the national framework of qualifications. Rates are dependent on the type of assessments, for example, whether they are written, practical, or portfolio-based assessments or other forms. The rates payable are set out in a circular from 2011 and, since then, some modifications have been made. In 2017, the circular was brought in line with the new common awards and it was agreed between the then Department of Education and Skills and SOLAS that a revised set of locally devised assessment rates would be developed with fees paid for a fixed list of modules. The updated rates remain principally payable for full-time QQI modules at levels 5 and 6. For historical reasons, there are also 31 level 4 modules for which rates are paid where they form part of the QQI major award at level 5. Guidance on LDA rates would not exclude any teacher from receiving a payment if they are involved in assessing such modules.

To deal specifically with the Senator's query, it would be helpful if in her reply she identified in which centre she met the individual as it would help me get to the bottom of the issue afterwards. Youthreach is an important programme, as she acknowledged, designed to support young people who have left school early. According to the 2015 operator guidelines for Youthreach centres, the primary focus of Youthreach is on the delivery of QQI modules at levels 3 and 4. Therefore, as LDA rates relate mainly to levels 5 and 6, the guidelines do not cover LDA fees in this part of the sector. I am aware that some Youthreach centres have started to deliver level 5 courses, but this was not generally envisaged for Youthreach. It was expected and anticipated that learners who wished to progress further would move on to levels 5 and 6 courses in other parts of the FET system, for example, via post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses.

I am aware that questions have arisen about the payment of LDA rates to Youthreach staff involved in the delivery of level 5 courses. The LDA rates do not exclude any teacher from receiving a payment if they are involved in assessing a relevant module. My officials are in contact with SOLAS and the relevant ETBs and are working on communications that will address such questions. The principal issue is that Youthreach is mainly focused on levels 3 and 4 of the national framework so it would be unusual for Youthreach teachers to be eligible for the LDA fees. This is a reflection of the structure of the overall FET system. In essence, there may be something of a mismatch in the situation arising in the Senator's question in that, historically, it has arisen in some FETs whereas the goal and intention of the programme is to deliver levels 3 and 4 courses, with learners usually moving on to different facilities for level 5 and beyond. I am committed to the critical role that Youthreach plays and I want to support it. Most of all, I would like to better understand the Senator’s question so that I might give a more comprehensive answer in due course. If she would just elaborate on who, what, when and where, then we can dig into it.