Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response, the last portion of which was where the detail came in. I do not understand why, when it comes to the leaving certificate cycle, we have a completely different approach. The leaving certificate gives an opportunity for the resitting of the examination process in certain circumstances. It gives people the opportunity to sit the examination and go through a process. I know students who cannot do the mock examinations because they are self-isolating. A leaving certificate student would have the opportunity to retake those examinations. I do not understand why there is a different approach in the case of the junior cycle. That information is not out there. There is no clarity among the general public, teachers, parents and students about how the junior certificate cycle will work for a 16-year-old who has not had a booster jab and must restrict his or her movements. Such people fear they will sit at home for seven days and move into fourth year without having to do that State examination. Surely after three years they would have the opportunity to do that State examination. Surely after three years the Department of Education can accommodate them in the same way it can accommodate leaving certificate students.

I realise the pandemic changed things beyond all control but I do not think we have thought through how we are going to deal with the junior certificate State examination for a student who is under 16 and cannot get a booster jab. More thought must be put into the issue because I do not think enough thought has been put into it.