Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister very much for her reply. I obviously wish her son and the 60,000 other students who are going into leaving certificate year the very best in the year ahead. I know that the advisory group is meeting and that there is student input but the earlier that certainty can be provided to that student group, the better.

There has been, as the Minister of State has rightly pointed out, a great deal of anxiety. Students have felt that they have lost out on aspects of the curriculum. It is going to be difficult to get the motivation back and some have have learned in a different way.

I appreciate that there are many complex issues here and that schools have been doing their best but it is very important that before the academic year starts students are informed about the exact supports that will be in place and what will happen in 2022, and that they are consulted throughout this process. I would greatly welcome such an assurance.