Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

We are looking at a range of contingencies. One absolute is a reduced curriculum and some reduction in assessment for the next school year. A second is we have to look at options and potential options where there are possible issues such as the Deputy outlined. We are all following the progress of this virus day by day and week by week.

There are big shortcomings with the assumption that a national digital learning platform works for everyone, because it does not. We cannot invent broadband on a national basis overnight. There is a serious Government commitment to doing that, but that will take a little time. The contingency planning is looking at a range of issues. The main interaction, even within a school closure, has proven to be the engagement between the teachers in the school and the students, and we have to maintain that. It can be backed up and supplemented by some national available learning which may also have to be available not only online but in other materials, whether it is DVDs or on paper. We are exploring options like that, but we cannot remove the school in the context of any school closure from its responsibility for the interaction. I say that negatively. Schools do not want to be removed from that interaction. Schools have shown in recent months how they want to step up. We have undertaken a range of research about this and others have undertaken research. I accept there were gaps, but on the whole, schools have tried really hard. However, it does not make up for the face-to-face learning environment, and that is what is really important to bring back. That is our priority.