282. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that post-leaving certificate students from 2020 will be in a position to attend third-level in 2020. [9300/20]

Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have an agreed position on determining and implementing reasonable alternative methods of assessment for their learners, while ensuring that learning outcomes can continue to be assessed and approved by academic governance. Each ETB has developed more detailed contingency plans at provider level, submitted to Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), and published on each ETB’s website.  These alternative methods are currently being applied across ETB provision, including post-leaving certificate courses.

ETBs have participated fully in structures established with the higher and further education sectors to manage the response to Covid-19.  ETB learners are being facilitated to undertake assessments for the purpose of progression to higher education in the required timeframe.