Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I have had conversations across the House regularly in the last weeks. I thank him for his attendance and his answers. I will fly through my questions to give the Minister time to reply. I put down a question on external candidates. I know one who is working, registered in her own school to do higher level Irish to access primary school teaching. She contacted the State Examinations Commission, the Minister's office and everybody. She said that people are very nice but nobody can give her an answer. I am not exaggerating when I say she has sent dozens of emails and made phone calls. She still does not know what will happen. The Minister's office did come back with a response, namely, that out of school learners would be contacted, but I want to know when. This young woman has been studying for the past year and needs to know now what will happen. If someone has attended grinds with a registered teacher - I do not refer to this specific case, but generally - could that be seen as credible satisfactory evidence for predicted grades?

There are two parts to my second question. Several Members have raised small rural schools which are about to lose a teacher. I have asked the Minister if he would consider being flexible about that this year. If schools go from three teachers to two, or two to one, it puts huge responsibility on those left to manage Covid. Maintaining the current levels would also help with social distancing. Deputy Mattie McGrath suggested using local community centres and so on, as have I. School transport was raised. The Minister responded to Deputy Noonan that there is now flexibility around the nearest or second nearest school. Have any decisions been taken to cease existing school routes where the issue of those attending the nearest or second nearest school does not apply?

Finally, on devices, the Department has provided schools with resources to help students who do not have access to resources, in some cases purchasing them. However, there is a question of some teachers not having access but using their own devices. There is a question of GDPR. Has the Minister any advice to teachers on this and are there any requirements on teachers using their own devices?

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