Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects the leaving certificate examinations to proceed as planned in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24967/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the efforts the Minister and many others have made in bringing about the current situation in respect of the leaving certificate.

Does she remain satisfied that the procedure is going according to plan or have issues arisen?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for posing this question and highlighting this matter. On 17 February, I confirmed that leaving certificate 2021 examinations would proceed, guided by public health advice, and that students would also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission, SEC, to be known henceforward as SEC-accredited grades. This decision was taken by the Government to provide choice and clarity for students.

Students will by now have registered for the traditional examinations and-or to receive SEC-accredited grades on a subject-by-subject basis on the candidate self-service portal. In any subject where a student sits the examination and opts to receive an accredited grade, he or she will be automatically credited with the better of the two results. Those opting for the traditional examinations will have completed their orals and music practical examinations over Easter and leaving certificate vocational programme, LCVP, students completed their link module examinations last weekend. Leaving certificate applied, LCA, orals started on 3 May and continued until 12 May.

My Department and the SEC have published a series of guides for students and schools regarding the processes for the 2021 leaving certificate. These guides and further information are available on www.gov.ie.

On 25 March, I announced details of the additional supports that are being provided to schools to support the running of the leaving certificate and LCA examinations and the accredited grades process. Schools can appoint a leaving certificate aide for up to a maximum of 60 days to support school management in the planning, preparations for and running of the examinations and the work involved in the accredited grades process. The Department is also supporting schools, parents and students through a dedicated phone line and email service for queries on the accredited grades process.

In the coming days, the SEC will be issuing further guidance for the conduct of written examinations to schools that is in line with public health advice and will ensure that the examinations can proceed safely.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The Deputy will also be aware that legislation is being introduced for the purposes of providing for the running of the 2021 leaving certificate to confer the necessary powers on the SEC to run the accredited grades process.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. I offer my compliments to her in respect of her dedication in pursuing the issues involved. Arising from the experience so far, has anything arisen that may cause concern or need dispute resolution at a later stage? Is the Minister satisfied that any such requirement can be met?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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All steps that have been necessary thus far have been taken. I have outlined for the House all the various aspects, for example, the orals and music practicals, that have already taken place and worked well, largely due to the considerable support provided by schools on the ground, the resources put in place by the Department and the strong, collaborative and supportive approach taken to making accommodations for exams of that nature. LCA orals took place between 3 and 12 May and proficiency tests for out-of-school languages took place last Saturday. All of these were run positively. There has been significant engagement by students through their use of the portal.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what degree does the Minister remain satisfied that all the objectives can be met on time and that facilities remain available to her to bring about satisfactory solutions to disputes that arise?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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All of the steps that need to be taken have been taken and have been worked through. Legislation on the running of the accredited grades process and so on has cleared the Seanad and will begin its passage through the Dáil this afternoon. That legislation is important because it ascribes to the SEC the authority to run the calculated grades process as it was known last year or the accredited grades process as it will be known this year. Within the legislation, provision is being made for a variety of issues, for example, indemnities for teachers, tutors, subject assessors and everyone with an involvement in the accredited grades process. It also makes accommodation for non-acceptance in terms of canvassing and so on. I would welcome the conclusion of that legislation in the shortest possible time.