asked the Minister for Education whether, as reported, Miss Breda Kelly, at present in Linden Convalescent Home, was refused facilities to sit for the Leaving Certificate Examination by his Department; if so, why such facilities were refused and whether, in future, he will ensure that his Department will not prevent candidates from taking State examinations merely on the grounds that they are physically unfit to travel to examination centres.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination Facilities.
16.
I am not aware that in public examinations anywhere such arrangements as are contemplated by the Deputy are made.
In our examinations so many cases of the kind arise each year that to endeavour to cater for them all—and all or none must be catered for—would make it impossible to conduct the examinations. That this is so will be appreciated when I say that the number of candidates for the Intermediate and Leaving Certificates is now over 27,000.
Apart from what I have said, it will, I am sure, be also appreciated that I cannot discuss the circumstances in relation to any particular candidate.
Could the Minister say how many applications he has had from similar cases to this or was it an individual application? Surely, if it was only one, there was no great difficulty?
There are several every year. I could not say how many there are every year. All sorts of contingencies arise which, if we did try to cater for this individual type of case, would cause us to try to meet a situation which it would be impossible to meet.
A young boy or girl who is handicapped through an act of God should get every assistance to prepare themselves for the years ahead. Should the Department not endeavour to help them in some way and to give them an opportunity of rehabilitating themselves and fitting themselves as best they can for the future?
I do not know that the Leaving Certificate would do that—
It is supposed to be something, anyhow. I agree that it means nothing.
If it did mean the rehabilitation of such cases I am sure I would have no hesitation in trying to cater for them.
While it has no value, according to the Minister for Education——
—for rehabilitation: it would not have the full value the Deputy ascribes to it.
Let us not forget that many cripples have occupied high places such as the post of President of the United States of America.
They are not prevented from sitting for the examination because of handicap. The question was to provide a separate centre, superintended in the ordinary way, for one particular person.
It should be done.
With 27,000 students entering for these examinations, it would not be possible to cater—
There would be only two or three.
There are more than that every year.
It is an isolated case.
Several cases arise every year.