Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like other Members, I join with colleagues in expressing my sympathies to the family of the late Ashling Murphy, but also to her peers and former lecturers at Mary Immaculate College. I know from speaking to some of them that it has been an awful few days for them. It was lovely that everybody paid tribute and gave their thoughts in a very positive way.

I wish to raise the issue of a hybrid leaving certificate. I know the Leader tabled a Commencement matter with the Minister, Deputy Foley, on this issue earlier today. I have received many calls and other communications from students who are under severe stress. We all talk about well-being and mindfulness. Many students feel very under pressure and do not know what is happening. They want a hybrid leaving certificate because they believe that although they may have had a lot more time in class than leaving certificate students in the previous two years had, they still have not had the same degree of in-class schooling that other students had before the pandemic. I know the committee will meet tomorrow but I ask the Leader to consider giving her support to contacting the Minister, Deputy Foley, on this issue.

Family Carers Ireland has today called on the Government to recognise carers in terms of the Covid bonus. I wish to lend my support to that campaign because carers have helped to keep so many people at home. They have helped to keep people out of hospitals and they have done tremendous work. Family Carers Ireland is seeking to have carers included among recipients of the Covid bonus and I wish to support it in that regard.