Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposals for reform of the leaving certificate examination; if she has had discussions with the teachers organisations in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2991/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The NCCA proposals set out a vision for the type of school system which might exist by 2010. The proposals envisage a re-structured senior cycle curriculum consisting of transition units, short courses and subjects. The option of a two or three year cycle would be retained and the leaving certificate applied programme would continue as a discrete programme. All pupils, including LCA pupils, would follow at least one transition unit and many pupils would take a greater number.

The proposals provide also for an increased emphasis on a wider range of modes of assessment such as practical-portfolio-project work and continuous assessment, with assessment events spread out during courses of study and available at a number of points during the two or three year cycle.

Initial advice on the reforms was submitted by the NCCA to my Department in June 2004, and it indicated that a further advice would be submitted early in 2005 setting out the configuration of subjects, short courses and options, and the assessment and implementation implications of the proposals. That second advice, which will enable the Department to assess the resource and operational implications of the proposals, has not yet been received.

I have not had discussions with the teacher organisations about the proposals. The teacher unions are of course among the partners represented on the NCCA. I look forward to receiving the final submission from the NCCA which is expected after Easter.