Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if those who will leave school in June 2021 after the junior cycle will be furnished with State certification of completion of this qualification to allow them to progress with their future careers. [13688/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Following a Government decision on 17 February, I confirmed that the Junior Cycle examinations will not be run in 2021. Guidance and further information relating to the Junior Cycle of 2021 has now been published by my Department and is available at .

These guidelines include details on the alternative form of certification designed to meet the current exceptional circumstances. A state certificate of completion of the Junior Cycle from my Department will be issued stating students have completed their Junior Cycle programme of study. In addition to this certificate, a school report detailing the learning achievements through the Junior Cycle programme should be issued to students by their schools. Further details are available in the guidelines.

This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021 Advisory Group and sub-group. The Advisory Group, which was initially constituted in April 2020, includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and my Department, including the National Educational Psychological Service.

This year, my Department issued letters of completion to any candidates who requested them to facilitate entry into an apprenticeship programme. Similar accommodations will be made for the class of 2021.

My Department will continue to engage with SOLAS and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the issue of apprenticeship eligibility.