Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Josepha Madigan. The Minister and the Minister of State are here to update the committee on the safe and sustainable reopening of schools, plans for the 2021 junior certificate, leaving certificate and applied leaving certificate and the implementation of the key recommendations in the joint committee report, The Impact of Covid-19 on Primary and Secondary Education.

The format of the meeting is that both the Minister and the Minister of State will be invited to make an opening statement followed by questions from committee members. The committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting. The Minister will have five minutes followed by the Minister of State who will have three minutes. The questioners will have six minutes per question, including the replies. I ask members to discontinue after six minutes.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks by the Chair. It is imperative that they comply with all such directions.

Before I call the Minister to make her opening statement, I note we have a number of officials present. I ask that they only respond to a technical point of information when necessary because this meeting is only of two hours' duration. I ask officials not to comment on Government policy as they are not witnesses before the committee. I call the Minister for five minutes followed by the Minister of State for three minutes.