Mr. Alan Mongey:

I will deal with the junior and leaving certificate quickly. The NCCA and the Department are in consultation at the moment in preparing advice to the working group on school return in respect of the implications of junior and leaving certificate students. We are asking for clarity to be brought sooner rather than later. We hope that would come before the end of the month or early August so that schools can plan as well as support and lessen the anxiety for junior and leaving certificate students. There will have to be amendments to curriculum or assessment for those students.

Deputy Collins asked about classroom based assessments. Amendments have been made. There is no longer a requirement for student to sit a CBA 1 and CBA 2 in subjects in the junior cycle. They now only have to complete one classroom based assessment. They can choose a CBA of their choice. Additional difficulties will present for assessment tasks that were traditionally linked to one particular CBA. Maybe that is a conversation for another day. Hopefully we will see the removal of assessment tasks within schools to lessen the burden on schools. I do not think these would be missed if they were taken away from the junior cycle.

There is an annual process under which we go to the Department looking for increased capitation grants. Certainly, this year more than any other year we will need increased capitation for cleaning and secretarial work. The school does not function unless it has a really good secretary and we all have really good secretaries. Any additional grants that can be supplied to schools would be greatly appreciated.