Mr. Dalton Tattan:

On that, that struck me too. I suppose like everything there are pluses and minuses to these things. However, we know that for children, no more than with ourselves, their lives are so informed and so imbedded in digital, and it will be part of their lives. We need to ensure that we are preparing them and, I suppose, ensuring too that there are balanced plans and that there are other experiences in life beyond that.

The level of investment is really important. Obviously, it has been particularly important to support the remote learning that has been necessary. We know that is not as good as the face-to-face experiences when students are physically in schools each day, but it was key in maintaining connection with students during that time. In the context of the review of the senior cycle, the likelihood is that, as we have done to date and are likely to be doing, we will continue to devise new forms of assessment, some of which are going to be technology-based. That is something that some subjects particularly lend themselves to. It is going to be important that the structures are there and available to schools so that they can access them in a meaningful way in order that students can take up courses, excel and enjoy them.

On the question about Irish, I note the point the Deputy made about the foundation level and encouraging the use of the language for those in the higher achieving space. From our perspective, we want students to continue to be able to engage with the national language at whatever level they wish and are able to do. We will have to reflect on the work of the NCCA on level 1 and level 2. That will be helpful in informing the approaches we will take, going forward.