As it happened: Latest developments as Leaving Cert 2021 plan announced by minister
The Junior Certificate examinations have been cancelled, it has also been confirmed. Wednesday 17th of Feb 2021
Liveblog
IT WAS CONFIRMED this evening that Leaving Certificate students are to be given the option not to sit exams and instead apply for a calculated grade accredited by the State Examinations Commission.
Under the plan, students who decide to take an exam will receive whichever result is higher between their calculate grade and the result from the written exam.
This result will be given on the day of the results and they will not receive the calculate grade before they sit their exam.
During his troubled time as Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has left himself open to ridicule, partly because of his tendency to explain his policies in a way that at times sounds condescending. It has become known in Irish politics as “Stephensplaining”.
During his troubled time as Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has left himself open to ridicule, partly because of his tendency to explain his policies in a way that at times sounds condescending. It has become known in Irish politics as “Stephensplaining”.
Political Coverage Editor
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Even in the darkest times, politicians private communications are a frequent cause of mirth when they are made public.
This week, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly s use of emojis caused raised eyebrows.
He received an update on the reproductive rate of Covid-19 from Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan and responded with a thumbs up .
But it is perhaps the over-promising and under-delivering on vaccines that has resulted in a far more serious communications issue for the Government.
People aged over 85 will begin being vaccinated in the coming weeks, Donnelly also said. It will be in the coming weeks. We now have three vaccines approved. It s going to be done through your GP, and it will be coming very shortly, Donnelly said.
He did say that exact dates can t yet be given for over 85s due to supply issues .
However, Ireland is getting 35,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine next week, he confirmed.
Three deliveries of this particular vaccine are expected to be made by the end of March.
Donnelly also said that the new UK variant of the virus is now found in two out of every three Covid-19 cases in Ireland.