Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Buttimer and appreciate his particular interest, and ongoing engagement, on matters of education.

I suggest that many of the points he made are outside the scope of this Bill. Be that as it may, I acknowledge that, and I said previously and last Friday, there are learnings in everything from Covid and I am in no doubt that there are learnings in terms of all that we have achieved in respect of calculated grades and now the accredited grades process.

The Senator will be aware that we have the senior cycle review and an advisory report is due imminently. I very much believe that the advisory report will be the catalyst to afford us the opportunity to look root and branch at all of the aspects of senior cycle provision, look at the very many positives and perhaps look at the shortcomings. The report will allow us an opportunity, in consultation and in partnership with everyone within the education sector, to have a view and opinion on how we can chart our way forward in the very best interests of those whom we serve within the education sector, which is the students, as highlighted by the Senator. I would also point to the fact that the Citizens' Assembly will have an opportunity to debate this issue going forward. There is significant provision going forward, although it is not within the gift of this Bill, to address senior cycle issues.

Specifically on the provision of an appeal, I want to make it very clear that the provision of the estimated marks is grounded fundamentally on the professional judgment of teachers and an in-school alignment process that includes a group of professional teachers and the involvement of the school principal. Significant guidelines on the process have also been offered. The amendment, as it stands, is not acceptable for the reasons that I have given.