Vol. 413 No. 2
107 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the fact that leaving certificate pupils who requested a recheck of an examination paper with a view to acquiring third level places have not yet received their results although it is now mid-term in third level colleges; and his views on whether (1) this time lag is unacceptable and distressing for the pupils and (2) results should be issued before third level colleges are re-opened.
It is my Department's aim to issue the results of rechecks, particularly upgrades, at the earliest possible date. This year, over 6,200 applications for a recheck were received, an increase of over one-third on the number of applications received in 1990. Just under 300 applications resulted in an upgrade. As is normal practice upgrades are notified immediately to schools, by phone, and to the Central Applications Office, by fax. A letter follows. Where there is no change in the result, schools are advised of the position by letter.
I am aware that in a small number of cases there have been delays in issuing results. These were cases where particular difficulties were experienced. I am having the recheck system examined with a view to eliminating difficulties and issuing results without delay in future years. The question of what resources would be needed in order to issue all results by the time of the opening of the universities, as suggested by the Deputy, will also be examined. In this connection I am glad to say that arrangements are already in hand for computerisation of the recheck process in 1992 with a view to expediting the issue of recheck results.
