Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the concessions that will be made in relation to students at a school (details supplied) that are due to sit the leaving certificate exam in the summer of 2019 have been missing a teacher for a subject for the first full term of 2018 due to a vacant position. [48928/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the issue of having an adequate supply of teachers in our schools. My Department has a number of measures aimed at addressing the current challenges for teacher supply. A Steering Group on Teacher Supply, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, was established in March 2018. The membership of the group includes nominees of the Department, HEIs providing primary and post primary initial teacher education, the Teaching Council, the HEA, primary and post primary school management bodies, as well as an independent expert. Addressing the issue of teacher supply is complex and involves consideration of a wide range of issues including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply and promotion of the teaching profession. Arising from the work of the steering group an Action Plan for Teacher Supply was published earlier this month with actions identified under four policy headings: Data/Research; Higher Education; Promotion of the teaching profession; Policies and arrangements impacting on teacher supply. The Steering Group will oversee the implementation of the Action Plan which aims to address the current challenges in Teacher Supply and ensure adequate supply of appropriately qualified teachers into the future.

In relation to concessions for students in the school referred to, that are due to sit the leaving certificate examination in 2019, some flexibility may be possible around the completion dates for practical coursework. The school in question should contact the State Examinations Commission (SEC) directly for advice in this regard. No further concessions can be granted in relation to marking of candidates’ examination work as ultimately all candidates must be subject to the same marking procedures and standards. This is consistent with one of the underlying principles of the operation of the State Examinations in that the SEC must apply marking schemes uniformly to all candidates in the interests of inter-candidate equity.