Mattie McGrath Urges More Time on Leaving Cert and Third-Level Debate
Mattie McGrath spoke on 13 Jan 2021 about concerns with the Leaving Cert, special needs and the impact of COVID on third-level students. He urged that more debate time be allocated tomorrow for Minister Foley and for the Minister for Third Level Education and Research, proposing 135 minutes each.
Request for extended debate time
Mattie McGrath asked that additional time be given in the upcoming debate so Minister Foley can address issues around the Leaving Cert and special needs. He proposed 135 minutes each for the Minister of Education and the Minister for Third Level Education and Research, calling that duration generous enough.
Focus on Leaving Cert and special needs
McGrath said a huge proportion of the problems are with the Leaving Cert and special needs and that these fall under Minister Foley's responsibility. He suggested reserving specific time in the debate tomorrow to allow the minister to respond fully.
Third-level students and COVID impact
He highlighted the difficulties faced by third-level students during the pandemic, noting they had a very tough academic year and were largely online since the beginning of the academic season. McGrath argued that issues pertaining to third-level education in the context of COVID deserve adequate debate and questioning.
Ministerial statements and questions
McGrath indicated that the Minister for Third Level Education and Research - referenced in the debate as Minister Harris - might be anxious to issue statements and take questions. He framed the 135 minutes per minister proposal as a practical way to ensure thorough scrutiny and response.
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Thank you. Deputy Matthew McGrath. Margot Cancola. I too would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I'm on the same vein. The huge proportion of problems are with the Leaving Cert and the special needs and with Minister Foley. I think we should give more time in that debate tomorrow for Minister Foley. I think it's 135 minutes each, one for the Minister of Education in respect of the issues under the Minister's responsibility and then the Minister for Third Level Education and Research. Because I do think it's important as well that the issues pertaining to third level students in the context of COVID is debated adequately and questions are asked in relation to that. because they've had a very tough year, academic year, because they were largely online since the beginning of the academic season. And so I think Minister Harris, I think, would be anxious to issue statements as well and take questions. But I think it's 135 minutes each seems, I would have thought, generous enough. Well.
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