asked the Minister for Education if he has recently increased both the school examination entrance fees and the late entry fee for each of the following examinations: group certificate, intermediate certificate, leaving certificate; the amount of each fee (a) prior to the increase and (b) at present, the percentage increase in each case, and the total amount by which the sums collected by way of examination fees will be increased as a result.
Written Answers. - Examination Entrance Fees.
85.
The entry fees in question have been increased from £2 to £4, £3 to £6 and from £3.50 to £7.00 for the day vocational (group), intermediate and leaving certificate examinations respectively. The additional late entry fees where applicable have been similarly increased from £1 to £2 and from £5 to £10. The percentage increase in all cases is 100. I am satisfied that these increases are fully justified having regard to the recent increases in the fees and subsistence allowances payable in connection with the supervision of the examinations and the marking of the answer books of the candidates, as well as in other relevant expenses connected with the examinations. It is estimated that the additional sum accruing to the appropriations in aid of my Department's Vote as a result of these increases will be in the region of £390,000 annually.