As I said in the Seanad when the same amendment was tabled, I agree with it in principle but I must reiterate the point that I made on that occasion in response to what is being requested by the Deputy. Fundamentally, the process of standardisation will operate at national level. It is preferable to use aggregate or cohort data, as the evidence is that the use of junior cycle data in the regression model is of better predictive quality when done at a class group rather than an individual level, which is the same vi…

I agree with the principle behind this amendment in terms of transparency in how the process of standardisation would operate. However, the amendment seeks to have the process of standardisation published in advance of results day. This is not something that can be agreed to as the final composition or application of the process will not, or at least may not, be known right up to the day of the results. I can commit, at a minimum, to doing what we did last year in having the technical detail of the model and standa…

I want to be very clear that there is no intention of keeping anything under wraps. There is no intention whatsoever of concealing any detail. What is important to remember is that the process of standardisation is just that: it is a process, not a static formula. It is very important to point out that even if we were to look at the written leaving certificate exam in terms of that process, it also contains and has always consistently included standardisation. As to, for example, publishing the marking scheme of th…

There are a number of reasons and grounds for rejecting this amendment. As a matter of policy, the provision of estimated marks is grounded fundamentally in the professional judgment of teachers and school alignment before submission to the SEC. The definition of "estimated mark" in the Bill provides clarity on what professional judgment is understood to encompass. The process through which professional judgment is exercised would make it impossible that another person unknown to the student could be expected to re…

Sections 4 and 5 will operate in accordance with such procedures as may be prescribed. In that regard, regulations are being drafted that give effect to the provisions concerned. I have already indicated to each House, including today, that there will be a robust review process that will not lead to decisions being made without considering individual circumstances. While the operation of the provision is always subject to the constitutional protection of fair procedures and natural justice, and while regulations ar…

The procedure under which a review will be conducted will seek the views of the candidate, the student, in respect of any report made of canvassing. Section 7(2)(a) expressly provides that the student or candidate will have the opportunity to submit representations. If the student was unaware of any canvassing, the candidate has the opportunity to make that case in his or her representations, and if he or she makes that point, the review must take this into account when reaching any decision. The candidate enjoys t…

Students enjoy the protection that, fundamentally, any decision following the review must be reasonably based on the information available to the review. We must be clear that the objective is to ensure that no canvassing takes place. The staff involved in the accredited grades process use professional judgment. They deserve protection from interference. Their professionalism should be the only objective in the accredited grades process. There must be a mechanism to ensure that happens and is supported. That is cur…

We need to be clear that the provision the Deputy is quoting states "may", not "must". The provision is enabling, not requiring, the State Examinations Commission to act. Where there is a determination that action is required to be taken, action will be taken. As I said, this is an enabling mechanism, not a requirement. There must be consequences if the professional integrity of those who are providing the estimated marks or who have any involvement in the provision of the estimated marks and accredited grades proc…

We will have to agree to disagree as to clarity. I am very clear that the sanction is outlined in the Bill. Where such cases are found to have arisen, the penalty is the withholding of the grade. I will again be clear. There is no requirement for this to happen. There will be a review. Again, the provision says "may" rather than "must". It enables the State Examinations Commission, SEC, to carry out a review rather than requiring it to do so. The section allows for a full review to take place and an adjudication to…

As I said, as part of the review process, the SEC will take into consideration all of the evidence before it. There is one sanction. I would suggest it is the most severe and significant sanction. If there is a case to be answered, the potential sanction is the withholding of the grade.

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. Before I address the specific issues raised, I would like to provide Members with an outline of the extent of the school transport service and what it entails. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year, over 114,000 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of…

There have been particular challenges in east Cork but substantial progress has been made in the provision of places in the area. I acknowledge the ongoing goodwill and co-operation from schools on the ground which have very much engaged with the Department in making provision available for September 2021 in allocating places. That is the result of an ongoing engagement which has been proactive and positive. On Deputy Buckley's queries, as I stated in my reply the work on the review is up and running. There will be…

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the current position regarding provision for children with special educational needs, including autism. With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputies, I am assured by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, that the local special education needs organiser, SENO, is working with this family so that the child concerned is placed in the most suitable school placement and the necessary supports are put in pla…

I appreciate the points made by the Deputies. A positive and proactive approach is being taken in my Department to advancing appropriate provision for children with additional needs. We are very much committed to this. That one fifth of the entire education budget is to be expended on special education is, in itself, a vote of intent indicating our determination to deliver in the area of special education. The Minister of State and I are fully committed to that. On the points raised on the provision of specific cla…

The Government has always been guided by public health advice on what is safe in schools and that has been the case from the very beginning. The Chief Medical Officer, CMO, has made it clear in his advices to the Government that schools are places of low transmission, with very little evidence of transmission within schools, and that the majority of infections in children and adolescents occur outside the school setting. This is supported by public health doctors. Schools have put significant infection prevention c…

I do appreciate that this is an issue Deputy Bríd Smith has raised on an ongoing basis. I also appreciate the difficulties for individual families. I recognise that the issues the Deputy has raised are causing particular difficulties for families. Equally, it is very important that we remember that within the education sector at every step of the way everything that we have sought to do and achieved has been done on foot of the best public health advice available to us. That advice is telling us that children are b…

I want to be very clear about this: where staff have been identified as very high risk, measures have been put in place for all staff to be replaced. Substantial funding has been made available for that and it has been drawn down throughout the country in recognition of the needs of specific staff who are regarded as very high risk. There is no question about staff who are very high risk being asked to return to school. If they were designated as very high risk, accommodation has been made and they have been substi…

Access to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, personal and health education, SPHE, is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary and post-primary schools. Relationships and sexuality education is required at all levels, from primary through to senior cycle. The Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and guidelines. All schools are required to have an RSE policy that is developed through engagement and in consultation and collaboratio…

In the first instance, the primary objective within a school is to ensure that all children, irrespective of their backgrounds, beliefs or orientation, are welcomed and included, and that is what we wish the experience of education to be for all concerned. The Deputy specifically asked in regard to timelines. As I alluded to earlier, the NCCA is developing the updated guidelines and the information and a toolkit are available online for schools in the interim. With regard to the body of work that it is being done b…

I thank the Deputy. As I have stated clearly, all schools are required to have an RSE policy. That policy, we must acknowledge, is developed in consultation with the entire school community, and the entire school community includes school management, parents, teachers and students, as appropriate. A school's programme for RSE is developed and taught, as the Deputy stated, in the context of the school's RSE policy. It is a shared policy and one that has been achieved through collaboration and engagement with all of …