Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans for implementing the McIver report into the further education sector here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8906/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The McIver report on the post leaving certificate review was commissioned by my Department to examine the sector and make recommendations regarding the organisational, support, development, technical and administrative structures and resources required in schools and colleges with large scale post-leaving certificate, PLC, provision, having regard to good practice in related areas across the system and in other countries.

The final report was completed in April 2003. The report contains 21 over-arching recommendations, incorporating over 90 sub-recommendations. The principal recommendations are a reduction in the number of timetabled class teaching hours and appropriate increases in staff to compensate; enhancement of senior and middle management structures to allow more time for assessment, student support and interaction, team development and cross-curricular planning, industry liaison and quality assurance processes; an increase in technical and administrative support staff; improvements in student library, IT and social facilities and capital infrastructure; and new programme support services.

My Department is engaged in discussions with the Irish Vocational Education Association with regard to the structural changes envisaged in the report, their implications and costs.