Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students because of school closures arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Yesterday, following a meeting of the advisory group on planning for State examinations, I announced that the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 leaving certificate examination cohort would be broadly the same as that applied to the assessment arrangements for leaving certificate examinations 2021, as announced in December 2020. I also announced that the State Examinations Commission, SEC, will run an alternative set of leaving certificate examinations in 2022 shortly following the main set of examinations.

The Deputy will also be aware that a review of Ireland's senior cycle is under way. I recognise that while the present senior cycle has its strengths, it also has a number of shortcomings that must be addressed. In this regard, I believe we must examine key issues at senior cycle delivery such as the timing of assessments and assessment components and broader issues of curriculum. I am committed to the review of the senior cycle.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, has undertaken an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways. It is important to highlight that this goes beyond the established leaving certificate but includes transition year, the leaving certificate applied and the leaving certificate vocational programme. The NCCA has recently submitted the senior cycle review advisory report to the Department. The advisory report is being considered at the moment and will be published in due course. This work will be advanced as quickly as possible.

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