Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's opening remarks. I also appreciate his commentary on in-school and remote teaching and learning. It is important to acknowledge that remote teaching and learning have been ongoing while it has not been possible for all students to attend school in person, notwithstanding the fact that it is the best experience for all concerned that this teaching and learning be done in schools in person.

Regarding the monitoring of how students have experienced the loss of in-person learning, we have direct evidence showing that the provision of remote teaching and learning has been more successful on this occasion than previously. Significant guidance was made available in advance and considerable work was done in schools to prepare. While all of that was positive, I recognise the Deputy's points. My Department's inspectorate has monitored educational provision by schools in both the remote and on-site schooling contexts. The research carried out by the inspectorate has captured a range of perspectives, including those of principals, teachers, parents and students, on how schools have operated, the teaching and learning being done, pupils' experience of school and their engagement with learning and so on. The research includes surveys of different stakeholders, discussions with school principals and inspectors meeting a variety of student and parent focus groups. A number of reports on the research have been published on the Department's website and more publications on foot of further research are expected in the near future.

We are conscious that we are still in a learning process in terms of how students have fared in the current circumstances. As a consequence of that, we will put suitable measures in place accordingly.