I was speaking to leaving certificate students and their parents last week. They are very concerned about what is happening at the moment. They have no teachers. We know there is an issue with substitute teachers, and teachers are out sick with Covid. One parent told me that five teachers were absent from her daughter's school one day.

I ask the Deputy to ask the question at this point.

They are not being taught. Will the Minister for Education consider an alternative leaving certificate for these students? They have been affected by the school closures in previous years and they are being affected now by the lack of substitute teachers.

At this stage, an alternative leaving certificate is not being envisaged. The inspectorate will keep under review the marking schemes and the type of leaving certificate papers that are developed, and the State Examinations Commission will take on board the challenges that students have faced this year and indeed, last year, in respect of preparing for the leaving certificate.