Irish Consumer confidence improved again in June reflecting a 10.4% y-o-y increase. Tentative signs that food and energy price inflation might have peaked seem to have encouraged a slight easing in concerns around household finances. The exceptionally good weather may have also boosted the mood of many consumers, but the modest monthly gain suggests financial clouds are still hanging heavily over many households and economic sunshine is still hazy for some.

One doesn’t have to go back too far into the archives to find headlines relating to markets in Dublin. Recent headlines include the uses of the Fruit & Veg Markets in the north inner city, the future (or fate) of the Iveagh Markets in The Liberties and plans for a market use at CHQ alongside EPIC, Europe’s leading tourist attraction (World Travel Awards). With the concept such a visited topic one looks to examples, both here and abroad, of where markets exist in cities as major attractions, creating hubs of activity that provide a platform to promote local, independent businesses, producers and suppliers and exhibit the tastes and cuisines of the area.

In Ireland, the most prominent example is of course Cork’s famous English Markets. Developed and owned by the Council, this traditional food market first opened in 1788 and remains as a hub of retail activity, with independent, local stallholders (some generations old, others local start-ups) selling a variety of fresh food and artisanal goods. While the dominance of a grocery offer suggests the target clientele are largely locals, a combination of atmosphere and architecture makes the market a major attraction for the City.

The Time Out Market in Lisbon is considered as a must-do when visiting the Portuguese capital. The market was founded by the publishing company with a vision to showcase the best business ideas and projects in Lisbon. The market now contains restaurants, shops, bars and a music venue alongside fruit & veg, meat, fish and flower vendors. London’s Camden Market has developed into a retail, food & drink destination in London, comprising over 1,000 shops, stalls and stands with an array of unique independent offers. Other examples include Mercado in London and Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.

A common theme of these markets is the presence of independent, local operators. These operators allow the markets offer something unique and different from the traditional high street or shopping centre mix. The artisan nature of these vendors can serve to promote the markets as a tourist destination where visitors can experience local cuisine and support local producers. The planning submitted for the proposed market offer at CHQ is an opportunity for an exciting market offer to break into Dublin and the recent pop-up, Me Auld Flower market in the Fruit & Veg Market in Smithfield as part of the St Patrick’s Day Festival may indicate that more exciting development lies ahead.

If you want to discuss the retail dynamics of City & Town Centre further you can contact us @consultancy@bannon.ie

 

Author:                 George Colyer, Surveyor, Bannon 

Date:                     3rd April 2023

 

Major reform of the Leaving Cert is being planned from 2024 onwards which will include spreading project work and exams over fifth and sixth year.

The move aims to reduce student stress levels around the traditional written exams and introduce teacher-based assessment for projects and other course components.

Minister for Education Norma Foley is keen to proceed with reforms which would see students entering senior cycle in September 2023 sitting Paper One in English and Irish at the end of fifth year.

Over several years, 60 per cent of marks for all Leaving Cert subjects will be based on written exams and 40 per cent on additional assessment components such as project work, orals or practicals.

Teacher-based assessment of these additional components will be externally moderated by the State Examinations Commission.

The announcement on Tuesday follows a four-year review of the senior cycle by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), based on consultations with students, teachers, parents and industry.

The review found while there was broad agreement exams should remain, it proposed giving greater weight to continual assessment, projects or other course components over a two- or three-year period.

On foot of Tuesday’s announcement, a selection of schools will shortly be invited to become pilot schools and participate at an early stage in revised curriculum and assessment arrangements.

Among the changes announced are:

* The introduction of two new subjects – drama, film and theatre studies; and climate action and sustainable development – which will be ready for students in pilot schools starting fifth year in 2024;

* An initial tranche of new and revised subjects will be available in pilot schools from September 2024, when students entering fifth year will study updated subject curricula, with updated assessment models in chemistry, physics, biology and business;

* Future oral exams and the music practical performance will take place during the first week of the Easter break of sixth year, as is the case this year;

* Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students will have improved access to maths and foreign languages from September 2022;

* A new qualification will be introduced at level one and two on the National Qualification framework to provide an appropriate level of assessment to some students with special educational needs, building on the equivalent programme at Junior Cycle level;

* Access for all students to a revised transition year programme will be encouraged.

Under Ms Foley’s plans, the NCCA and the State Examinations Commission will develop, in consultation with education partners, how an externally moderated, school-based form of assessment would operate.

However, teachers’ unions on Tuesday moved quickly to voice their opposition to any plan that involves members assessing their own students.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Michael Gillespie said: “Our members are fundamentally opposed to assessing their own students for State certificate purposes and therefore external assessment and State certification – which retain significant public trust – are essential for all written examinations and all additional components of assessment.”

Association of Secondary Teachers’ Ireland (ASTI) president Eamon Dennehy said certification in State exams must be “entirely externally assessed”.

“This must be retained in all aspects of the development of the Leaving Cert. It is vital that the integrity of the state exams system is maintained,” he said.

Ms Foley said the redeveloped senior cycle aims to deliver “equity and excellence for all”.

“This programme is timely and ambitious – we must not rush, but cannot delay. The timing I have set out will ensure that students will feel the benefits at the earliest possible time, with notice of these in advance.”

She said the reforms will reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on exams.

“We will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment, over a less concentrated time period, in line with international best practice,” she said.

Ms Foley said these changes will enable the education system to maintain its high standards.

“Our current system has many strengths. But we know that it can be improved, to better support our students, to reduce pressure while maintaining standards, to keep pace with the changes in practices internationally and to meet the needs and expectations of our students and of our society in preparing our young people for the world ahead,” she added.

Article by The Irish Times.