Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for the work they have done with the Department, schools and students over the last number of months, which has been a very difficult time.

I wish to raise an issue the witnesses have touched on already, which is remote learning. Do the witnesses feel there will have to be some element of remote learning and that not all schools will be able to return fully? I particularly want to know the number of schools, according to the witnesses’ information, which are lacking an adequate connection because of access to broadband. Are there primary or secondary schools where that is a difficulty, and what is the scale of it? Are the witnesses aware of plans by the Department to fast-track resolving that issue?

The second issue I wish to raise concerns students going into the final year of the two-year leaving certificate course this year. Do the witnesses believe we need to do a lot more to assist them? They will be facing into an examination system and have lost a valuable three or four months. Has there been engagement with the Department on additional supports to be put in place for these students?