Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. On Deputy Murnane O'Connor's specific question with regard to the accommodation for students who have a significant illness, a bereavement or are impacted by Covid, it may have escaped the Deputy but I did announce some time ago that there is a contingency second sitting of the examination, which will take place immediately after the first sitting of the examination. This is for exceptional cases such as a medical issue pertaining to a student, a bereavement or an issue pertaining to Covid.

I appreciate the points that have been raised in regard to the need to support the students in all aspects of their lives. Deputies will be aware that earlier this year we launched the Covid learning and support scheme for schools, which is not only a support scheme with additional hours and additional teaching resources for academic learning, but also for well-being initiatives within our schools. On the issue of senior cycle reform, I am enormously committed to senior cycle reform. It is something that we will be progressing. My objective is to ensure that we maximise the potential of all of our students and the assessment of their various skill sets, and provide pathways for them.

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