Ms Teresa Griffin:

The NCSE has not carried out research in respect of this, but Inclusion Ireland referenced the fact that 11% of their parents said they did not have access to technology. We know anecdotally that the difficulties are not simply about access to technology or broadband, although if people do not have technology they cannot use the online supports. The issue is also with regard to the fact that many of these students find it very hard to engage online and learn online. This is because many of these students need explicit teaching. They do not learn incidentally. They need very good, experienced teachers to teach them and bring them through various new routines and new learning. It is very difficult for parents and the children themselves to do this online.