Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim an-bhuíoch don Cheann Comhairle as an gcúpla focal sin.

There is a general acceptance that there is a fairness in this legislation as regards leaving certificate students being given choice. We accept that students, parents and teachers across the board had an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. I hope we have learned lessons from the difficulties we had with algorithms. Fairness is essential. We heard earlier that we almost need an audit of the entire leaving certificate process. While it has changed in recent years with continuous assessment, it is still largely based on old-style rote learning. We have to look at something more fitting.

We also talk about access to third level. We have alternatives in post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses and such but we need to work at an earlier stage on interventions for those families who do not have a history is education and need a greater level of connectivity. We need to look at our entire means of delivering education to ensure it offers everyone the routes they need to take through life.

I commend the Minister on the work she has done as regards the Coláiste Ghlór na Mara satellite that is planned for Dundalk. I hope she continues with that support.

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