Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise but the video appears to be switched on. The Senator spoke about the digital divide and I am very conscious of it. In the past year alone and throughout the pandemic, over €100 million in financial resources have been made available to schools specifically with regard to information, communication and digital technology, etc. This was to afford schools the opportunity to purchase digital platforms or, as I have seen in the vast majority of schools, necessary equipment. As late as December 2020, €50 million was expedited to schools so they would have funding available for the purchase of digital equipment, including tablets and laptops. A variety of schools have purchased equipment that is loaned to students and which students have utilised throughout the pandemic. I regard this as a very positive use of the funds made available. If there are specific cases of this not happening or not being possible for whatever reason in different schools, I am keen to be made aware of them. As I have said, substantial funding has been made available and used in that respect in a variety of schools.

The Senator referred to the accredited grades system and indicated that it should not disadvantage young people from different backgrounds or marginalised or minority backgrounds. It was the experience in the system last year that it was blind to gender, background etc.

I indicated that remote learning is working more successfully this year than it did last year. The closure of schools was sudden last year and there was a lack of preparedness because it was so unexpected, and one can understand that. This year considerable work was done with schools, including the publication of guidelines that were worked through with all the partners in education, including teacher representatives, managerial bodies and students. Everybody was around the table working out the guidelines and platforms to be used by schools, as well as the contact required between parents and schools. All those guidelines were agreed and the platforms were put in place. That is exactly what I meant with respect to the preparedness for remote learning working better this year than it did last year. Is this going to work perfectly in all cases? That is absolutely not a guarantee that can be given and there will always be difficulties. As I stated, it is in no way a replacement for in-person teaching and learning.

The Senator also asked about funding being made available for catching up. Again, I have said that I am conscious of particular cohorts of students being especially disadvantaged because of Covid-19. I have said it is my intention to make enhanced summer schemes available this year, as we had last year, with a focus on numeracy and literacy. The Senator is aware that yesterday I announced a further expansion of the school completion programme, which is of enormous benefit to many students. A further 28 schools are to be included in that programme. There is also to be an increase in funding for school completion programmes and the DEIS schools will see a one point reduction in class sizes.