Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the 2,800 candidates who will be doing their leaving certificate exams in 600 centres across the country, I presume there will be a number of students in the same classroom doing the exams. What contingency plans are in place if one of those students is diagnosed with Covid? I was a member of the Government when the decision was made to cancel the leaving certificate and in my nine years at the Cabinet table it was probably one of the most difficult decisions the Cabinet had to make. It had to think of the thousands of students, families and parents and the years of work they had done. Some of my family members were doing the leaving certificate as well and they were on to me daily asking me what was happening and were really concerned. What contingency plans has the Department put in place for the students? If one of them is diagnosed with Covid in the next two or three weeks, what happens to the rest of the students? Do they carry on? As close contacts they are meant to go into isolation for ten days. I ask the witnesses to comment on that matter.