Vol. 464 No. 4
89 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if the missing craftwork sections of the 1995 leaving certificate art examination papers, submitted by the students from the Ursuline Convent in Sligo, have been found; if so, if she will give details regarding the circumstances of their discovery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8296/96]
100 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the difficulties encountered in respect of the delivery and handling of the craft sections of the 1995 leaving certificate examination submitted by students from the Ursuline Convent in Sligo that were referred to by a spokesperson for her in a statement published in the media on 18 April 1996. [8381/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 100 together. I am informed that the craftwork pieces referred to by the Deputy have not been found.
As part of the ongoing inquiry into the operation of the 1995 leaving certificate art examination and at the request of Price Waterhouse, An Post was asked to assist in tracing a package of craftwork dispatched by post by the Ursuline College, Sligo.
An Post was given a copy of a certificate of posting which was supplied by the Ursuline College. This certificate contained a customer reference number and the address of the Department's examination branch in Athlone.
An Post has notified my Department that its records confirm receipt by it of an item addressed to the Department's examination branch. An Post's records suggest that the customer reference in question was signed for by an employee of a company with premises in Sligo. An Post have also indicated that there is no conclusive link between the signing of this customer reference and the actual receipt of the package originally posted by the Ursuline College.
The information supplied by An Post has been communicated to Price Waterhouse so that it may be taken into account in the compilation of its report.
