Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that information. There has been a major focus on getting primary school children, the leaving certificate classes and the other second level students back to education but we should focus then on getting the third level students back into the classroom. I am aware that prolonged absences from the classroom have affected their mental health but also their education. I would like the Minister's Department to do some kind of modelling on that, if possible, and give the students hope that they might get back to the classroom. Online learning for third level education is not ideal and it has been a very difficult year for that cohort of people. I know there are many variables and unknowns but if we could see some sort of modelling in respect of that elusive herd immunity there might be the possibility of all third level students returning to the classroom, which would be very helpful. I thank the Minister for answering my question.