Ms Patricia O'Sullivan:

In relation to examinations, we would be the same, we would not concentrate on the terminal exam. There is a lot of research showing that cortisol levels are high and other levels are low. The elephant in the room is also the Leaving Certificate. That is a terminal examination that is causing many mental health problems. It is also affecting students' choice of where they want to go, whether it is further and higher education. It is great that the apprenticeship and more work-based learning is coming in. In relation to the HEAR and DARE programmes, if we have students that want to come through these programmes to our colleges, they are not entitled to State funds, so that is another barrier for them. They may have enough CAO points to do law for example, in Griffith College, but not have enough points to do it in Trinity or one of the other colleges.