Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. On the issue she has raised in respect of the bus service, the specific case she has mentioned is exceptional. I would appreciate it if the Deputy would bring details of any such exceptional cases, such as where somebody has been ill, to us. If there is availability of space on the bus, these children will certainly be catered for. There will always exceptional circumstances of that type. The important thing is whether there is availability on the bus. With regard to additional capacity on the buses, as the Deputy is aware, there was a change to the NPHET guidelines. Bus Éireann is reviewing its routes and determining where bigger buses and so on will be required. Where possible, extra capacity will be made available.

On the appeals process and the calculated grades, the Deputy also asked about the information used by schools. As she will be aware, schools were invited to provide an estimated mark and a rank ordering. I will defer to the chief inspector in a moment. I understand that schools had to complete a form showing the information they used to make that determination, which may have included Christmas and Easter tests. All that information was recorded within the school. In the event of an appeal, that will be made available to the appeals process. That information is retained within the school and the basis for the percentage mark is very clear and precise.

Regarding last year's students competing with this year's students, the calculated grades represent an extraordinary measure in an extraordinary time for the education system. However, it is the process that has been employed so that the students of 2020 will have a leaving certificate that is as close as possible and comparable to that of 2019 and, indeed, of 2021. The calculated grades incorporate a standardisation process for that reason. Just as there was a standardisation process in the 2019 leaving certificate, it will also be part of the 2020 calculated grades process and, therefore, there will be comparability.

The Deputy asked how last year's students would feel about the present calculated-grade students and their results. They are as close as they possibly can be in the first instance. Perhaps there will be an element of stronger subject profile, but the standardisation process will have ensured there is comparability between last year and this year. As the Deputy will be aware, there was an announcement yesterday of additional capacity with an additional 1,250 places at third level.

She asked about the need for the supply panel to be expanded. I have referenced that. The primary school supply panel was a programme that worked successfully in the past year. We have no evidence of any difficulty in recruiting staff for that panel. As I mentioned earlier, this is an additional opportunity for schools to draw down from that panel. Equally, schools have their own resources and pools from which they have drawn substitute teachers in previous years. That might have been a local arrangement or "Text-a-Sub".

The Deputy also asked about the written exam in November. At this point we do not know how many students will opt for that. That determination will not be made until students receive their results and their CAO offers and all that will entail. The student will be able to take the better grade achieved either in the November written exams or in the calculated grade and that will form their leaving certificate as it were.