Simon Harris says he believes a 'very detailed plan' for this year's Leaving Cert is needed by the start of February.
The Higher Education Minister said students are very anxious about the current situation, so questions over whether traditional exams can go ahead need to be settled 'very, very quickly'.
Government ministers have repeatedly said they hope written exams will be able to go ahead in the summer, but they're continuing to look at all options available in case that can't happen.
This morning, Education Minister Norma Foley said all contingencies are being worked through, but there are a "variety of voices" on what should happen.
Opposition parties such as Labour, meanwhile, have called for a clear plan to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
On today's Pat Kenny Show, Minister Harris said the final decision is one for Minister Foley and her Department.
However, he said he and the rest of Government do accept that a decision is needed as soon as possible.
He said: “It is my strong view that we need a very detailed plan by the end of this month, or start of February.
“We will need to move very quickly beyond the line ‘we want to hold the Leaving Cert’, to showing people how the Leaving Cert can safely be held.
“The biggest point we need to address is how quickly Leaving Cert students will be able to get back into classrooms. If there is to be written exams, that will be absolutely vital.”
February restrictions
Government is set to review the current restrictions - including school closures - next week to figure out what measures will be in place for February.
The Public Expenditure Minister today said "it's fair to say that no-one expects there will be a widespread re-opening of the economy".
Minister Harris said there encouraging signs in terms of falling case numbers and increasing vaccination rates, but it will be “absolutely necessary” to bring full clarity very quickly for Leaving Cert students.
He observed: “I would be very conscious of the fact these are sixth year students who missed time in fifth year, and now have missed 16 days or thereabouts in sixth year. That’s a situation that can’t continue.
“I’m very complimentary of the fact teachers are working with them remotely. But there are practical classes, lab work and all that sort of stuff as well.”
He suggested that everyone wants to hold the Leaving Cert, but people now want to see the details of that plan.
