Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----and various different initiatives we have working towards acknowledging that different situations demand different solutions, remedies or whatever and recognising there is a uniqueness within our own situation.

On the State Examinations Commission specifically and reasonable accommodations, irrespective of whatever the health condition may be, at the end of every running of the examinations there is a full review. It is a matter for the commission, which is independent, but it is my personal view, and core to my beliefs around senior cycle reform, that we maximise the potential for every student inasmuch as we possibly can in terms of taking the exams and how it will benefit them. I am confident that, as part of this review following the running of these examinations, there will be opportunities to look at things further. The last full review of the reasonable accommodations scheme was in 2017. There will be a much more in-depth review to come. It will probably be hand-in-hand with the senior cycle reform as well but it is a matter for the State Examinations Commission. I 100% support the philosophy that we give the maximum opportunity to our students to showcase their talents and abilities on a given day.

On the July provision, or the summer provision as we call it now it is no longer limited, a considerable investment of over €40 million was made and there was significant uptake. It is a provision that is made available for children with additional needs but also those at risk of educational disadvantage. It is my absolute desire and determination that more schools will find themselves in a position to make these summer provision programmes available. This year, a considerable number of changes were put in place, in that there was much engagement with schools on what would be required to make the programme more attractive. An example would be ensuring the burden would not automatically fall on the principal of the school or school leadership. Finances were made available that there would be an overseer put in place. There was also flexibility for schools as we referenced earlier, in that it would not just be July and could be whatever time during the summer period that would suit them. There was an online programme for the payment of staff.

There is a variety of measures. A full review will take place. I know we need greater availability of the programme for students and families. We are looking at models in other parts of the world to ascertain what is best practice internationally. I am open to considering other Departments that may be in a position to support work in respect of July provision coming in. We will revert as soon as we can with this new model. It will be a model that looks to international best practice. In particular, we are keen to look to the model in Malta, as well as other providers that may be able to support us in running the scheme.