Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I agree we are still in a Covid environment. I often find I am the one pointing that out. It is the Government that is getting rid of long Covid leave. It is the Department of Education that is telling very high-risk individuals they have to go back to the workplace. Clearly, we are in a different situation than we were last year or the year before.

Regardless of the reasons, will the Minister in her response focus on what the Department is going to do to mitigate and minimise the bad effects as a consequence? What is the plan to assist students with getting accommodation? What is the plan for those with disabilities who are accessing education through the higher education access route, HEAR, or the disability access route to education, DARE? What will happen with the orientation weeks? What action is the Department going to take to assist students who are planning to study abroad? Has there been contact with UCAS in the UK and the equivalent bodies internationally to explain that the results will be delayed, in order to protect the places of those waiting for their leaving certificate results?

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