Exam Technique training

You can spend/throw away a great deal of money attending such classes and listening to external advice from so-called study specialists and experts. Best to just follow teacher direction, ask questions, clarify and don't be worried. Despite the frequent cynicism about teachers, almost all of them know the exam system inside out and it is quite rare for a pupil not to be prepared. Fifth year can be quite challenging but most of the stuff he is doing now will be repeated/revised as he approaches LC. If he is a hard worker he will be well rewarded by the Leaving Cert. Keep up the reassurance and support and he will be fine.
The best essay 'technique' is sincerity, ie. write about what you know with a bit of enthusiasm and feeling..... (after 25 years reading LC HL English papers, it comes as a joy to read a genuine personal piece of writing.......) and such effort is very well rewarded.

My technique used to be read the question about 4 times. Then underline key aspects or the different parts. Then start writing and after each block of writing go back and read the question and this usually kept me on target. I'd often use some of the words from the question in my answer - again driving home the key points of the question.

I'd say that if he listened to the teachers and asked them for support / feedback n his answers he'd be much better off than going to 'an expert'.