Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To reply to Deputy Conway-Walsh's question, as the Deputy will know, on 5 August, a very detailed implementation advice regarding public health and the return to third level education was published. A huge amount of work has been undertaken by the sector, including by the Union of Students of Ireland, which sits on a group that meets every Friday that I attend also. It will meet again in the morning. We are now examining the further measures that need to be taken in respect of the latest NPHET advice regarding Dublin and without getting ahead of any NPHET recommendations that may or may not go to Government in the coming days, I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that it is the balance between what one does on site and what one does online.

In respect of accommodation, we have already brought in a number of flexible options for students to be able to rent a room for a number of nights rather than taking out a long-term lease. I would encourage more colleges to do that.

In respect of the other two issues, they are matters for the Minister for Education and Skills. I know the Minister has been doing an excellent job on prioritising the calculated grades system. I am sure guidance will be produced on the repeat leaving certificate opportunity and I will ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to follow up on that. The calculated grades system, while imperfect, because every system was imperfect in the pandemic, was genuinely the best, honest and most robust system we could put in place.

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