To ask the Minister of Education (i) to outline his engagement with academically-selected post-primary schools regarding transfer tests in autumn 2020; (ii) whether he has considered cancelling the transfer tests in 2020 as a response to COVID-19; and (iii) to outline the reasons why the transfer test cannot be delayed longer than two weeks.

Neither I nor my Department have had any direct engagement with post-primary schools regarding the transfer tests. Any engagement or decisions regarding the organisation, timing or cancellation of the tests is ultimately a matter for schools and the test providers and my Department has no role in those decisions. However, I understand that the test providers engaged with a number of schools in considering their proposals for the tests in 2020.

The tests fit into an overall timetable for the post-primary transfer process which applies to all young people transferring regardless of whether or not they sit the tests. The timing of when the tests are taken is not as significant as the timing of the issue of test results. This, however, is a matter for the test providers and I am unable to intervene in their internal processes. Were results not to issue until mid-March the result would be that placement letters would not issue until the summer holidays and admissions appeals hearings would run well past the start of term in September 2021.