Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Nobody can deny that this is a big week for the leaving certificate. Tomorrow is the last day for the completion of any assessments associated with the accredited grades process. From there, teachers will begin the task of awarding estimated marks to their students, so I am conscious of the stress on thousands of students right now and on their teachers. However, I think we did the fairest thing we could by giving them a choice. This is what the students, their parents, caregivers and teachers I engaged with wanted.

I wish everyone involved in this year's leaving certificate well. I applaud the students for their dedication in a difficult year and the professionalism of the teachers. I know that a majority of the over 60,000 students have opted to receive accredited grades and to sit written examinations. Everyone has engaged with this process and that is welcome. It raises questions that only 2% of students opted only to sit the examination.

I am glad we are in the process of looking at the leaving certificate as a whole now. While I am conscious this Bill is only focused on the leaving certificate 2021, the Minister has said that no one system will meet the needs of every student and I agree with her on that point. I am interested to know of the plans for the leaving certificate 2022. Is consideration going to be given to making the accredited grades system a part of the leaving certificate for evermore? We can learn what lessons we can from the past; not just look at what Covid has done but what we can learn.

I welcome the senior cycle review. An advisory report is due. I am concerned that the consultation process on the Irish leaving certificate is considering splitting the course between T1 and T2 schools, that is, Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltachtaí and English-speaking schools. The T1 schools would have a more difficult exam and would not have bonus points attached. I have had many emails about this from parents and students. I would appreciate if the Minister came back to me on that.

My concern about the consultation that is under way is that we have not had the full three years of the new junior cycle to see whether that model is beneficial. Covid lockdown and the major difference in learning experience will have changed what otherwise might have come up during this review in normal times. We must learn lessons here. Will we rush through a consultation during two years of disruption? Will we take that disruption into consideration?

I compliment the Minister. This has a difficult period but she has worked with all the different parties and stakeholders. I know from working with Deputies that she has listened to us because we have been listening to the parents, teachers and students. I had several Zoom and Teams meetings with students. I felt the Minister's decision was the best road to take and I know students are happy with it.

I ask the Minister to ensure we have a plan for 2022. This year, all the students and families were informed early. The leaving certificate course is already nearly finished. It is important we work with everyone involved on what will happen next year. Again, I congratulate the Minister. She did an excellent job.

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