Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to special needs, it is a very difficult time for everybody and I respect that and I am not going to add to that difficulty. On the question of going back to school, up to now it has kind of been the cart before the horse, or that is what people have been saying - announce the openings first and then have discussions afterwards. Doing it this way is causing a lot of false hope for special needs children and their parents. Unfortunately, that hope evaporates and it then becomes a matter of a certain criticism towards SNAs, which is not right either. Perhaps the discussions could take place first and, afterwards, there would be an announcement when everyone is in agreement. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned something along those lines and I agree with him.

Last week, I raised with the Minister a question on the leaving certificate but I ran out of time before the Minister gave me the answer. The main message from students is to put a predictive grades system in place for the leaving certificate and, if the students are unhappy with this, to allow them the choice of sitting the leaving certificate. Does the Minister or her office have plans to do this and, if so, I would urge her to share them with all of the students.

I realise that many students do not have the Internet, and I was talking to a student over the weekend in Drimoleague who does not even have a mobile phone service. They are falling way behind through no fault of their own, which is a big difficulty.

When will we have the results from the leaving certificate that students sat in 2020? These students are waiting anxiously. One such student has been in contact with us today. Her family are recovering from Covid and it is just another stress to wait for the results. The Minister might be able to answer those questions.

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