Ms Orlaith O'Connor:

I thank Mr. Tattan and the Senator. With regard to supports that were provided to schools over the period of the pandemic, one of the things we were very anxious to do in the Department was ensure there was a continuity of learning for all groups of students during that period. We issued guidance to schools at various times regarding continuity of learning and the type of curriculum supports that could be provided for those students in a remote learning space at home, those who were at very high risk from Covid-19 and also in the context of students who, for example, may have had to isolate for Covid-related reasons. Through a series of guidance through 2020 and 2021, therefore, we directed schools in the types of supports they could provide in terms of resources, work that students could have done at home or indeed, in a synchronous or asynchronous capacity, how schools could engage with ensuring that students continued with their learning during that period.

For schools, we obviously had teachers who were specialists at post primary. We outlined the types of supports they could provide to their students and also, for example, directions to schools on how support could have been provided for students with special educational needs who were learning in the home.

In terms of remote learning and teaching, schools would have developed and agreed what the single platform was at post-primary level. In terms of supports the Department provided, the advice would have been very strongly to develop a single platform for students to use and have a learning plan in place for students and schools, which they would have agreed, worked out and put in place to ensure those types of supports could be provided.