Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for joining us. I also thank her for the tremendous work she has done as Minister since taking office. She has brought new energy, creativity, resilience and professionalism to the role and to her Department. It has certainly been noticed by the schools and the education community in the Dublin Central constituency in which I live and across the country. I commend the Minister for that and thank her for making time to come to the Seanad today. We appreciate that the Minister's time is precious.

No other leaving certificate class in modern times has faced a greater challenge than that of 2021 in view of the fact that students have missed so much classroom learning, etc. It has been challenging for them from a formal education perspective and also from the point of view of informal education and the social development that comes with that, not just for the students but also for their parents, teachers and the whole school community. Those students felt very alone. They had tremendous pressure on them. The leaving certificate has importance for us all in different ways. It is a rite of passage. It allows people to move on and to progress as young adults and take up further education or training opportunities or choose other path they choose to take.

Historically, leaving certificate students have had very little opportunity to voice their concerns. The leaving certificate substantially determines their futures. When all of this uncertainty was engulfing them, their families and school communities, the Minister recognised that. Students themselves advocated and made their voices heard. They made reasonable requests. They wanted choice, certainty and fairness. The Minister heard and listened to what they had to say and recognised, respected and valued them. She brought them in to the process. That was a real achievement which, I think, all leaving certificate students of 2021 recognise and greatly appreciate.

That said, written exams start on 9 June, which is just over a month from now. The clock is ticking. I wish all the students well. I wish everybody involved in the State examinations well. We all hope that all of the investment that has been made in our educational infrastructure and all the investment of time, energy and expertise that has gone in to preparing our students and the exams will work out for everyone. The fact that the students have both certainty and choice is key. They value both immensely. As we move forward, I know the Minister will take the lessons from last year and this year into next year. The students who have endured what happened in the past year or so want to know that others will benefit from their experience. I think they will. It is down to the Minister and everybody involved, including teachers, unions, school communities and school management.It is good to acknowledge the positives from all these challenges and take hope from them for the future.

I will finish with two questions and it is important that the Minister clarify these matters on the record of the House. Some 87% of students opted for the examination, which is important. It is crucial that the legislation protects the exam, the teachers and students. Students have two burning questions. Assuming they get all of this behind them, when will they get the results? My understanding of the final determination of results, which I believe the Minister will confirm, is that the higher grade will be counted. Of which grade will it be the higher? Some students seem to have questions about this. Who will make the determination? Will it be the accredited grade or the written examination grade? How will that determination be made and by whom? When will the results be made public?