asked the Minister for Education the way in which the £200 fee for repeat leaving certificate examinees was arrived at; and the reason for discriminatory charges for those who repeat the examination.
Written Answers - Repeat Leaving Certificate Examination Fee.
217.
The decision to charge a fee of £200 (£100 course fee and £100 examination fee) was taken in the context of the very difficult financial circumstances facing the country at present. In view of the financial pressures at various levels of the education system, it was considered not unreasonable that those who had already benefited by the normal course of post-primary schooling, and who wished to take an extra year, should be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources. Pupils whose parents or guardians are medical card holders are exempted from payment of the £100 course fee and are required to pay only the standard examination fee of £33.
In the circumstances I do not accept that the fee in question is discriminatory.