Vol. 464 No. 4
99 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the total revenue raised in the most recent year for which figures are available from candidates for the junior and leaving certificate examinations; the total amount paid by her Department to schools in the most recent year for which figures are available to assist certain candidates to pay such exam fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8380/96]
The total amount paid in examination entry fees for the 1995 leaving and junior certificate examinations was £5,783,544.
The total amount paid to schools in 1995 in order to alleviate hardship arising from the payment of examination entry fees was £400,000.
It is my intention to improve provision in this area on an ongoing well-targeted basis as resources become available to me. In line with this policy my Department has made £500,000 available to schools and vocational education committees for this purpose in connection with the 1996 examinations. This is an increase of 25 per cent over 1995.
In addition to the above provision, my Department also operates a scheme under which the fees of candidates repeating the leaving certificate are waived or reduced. A candidate who remains at school to repeat the leaving certificate is normally charged both a course fee — (£100 in 1995) — and an increased exam entry fee — (£120 in 1995). However, where the parent or guardian of the candidate is the holder of a current medical card, the course fee is waived and the examination entry fee is reduced to, at a maximum, the ordinary leaving certificate fee payable by first-time candidates — (£44 in 1995).
