Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ceard Teastas Examinations.

Máirín Quill

Question:

111 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education the percentage of overall candidates who failed the Ceard Teastas examination in written form and oral form in each of the years from 1991 to 1996; the way in which the appeal system operates in relation to written papers and oral papers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17172/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The information sought by the Deputy is given in the following table. Information for 1996 is not available because the schedule of ceard teastas Gaeilge examinations for 1996 is not yet complete.

Year	Written candidature	Percentage failure rate	Oral candidature	Percentage failure rate
		%		%
1991	432	25	824	10
1992	657	41	1,316	13
1993	722	53	1,301	13
1994	716	45	1,733	17
1995	679	35	1,562	17

The oral examinations for the ceard teastas Gaeilge are held four times per year and written examinations are held twice per year. It is open to candidates to repeat the examinations as frequently as they wish.

In the case of oral tests there is no provision for review because of the interactive nature of the test.

There is no formal arrangement for the review of written examination results. However, where on occasion candidates contact my Department to advise that their results are seriously at variance with their expectations my Department arranges to have the chief examiner review the written work in such cases.

The arrangements for holding ceart teastas Gaeilge, including the question of introducing a formal appeals process, are currently under review in my Department.