Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - Three Year Senior Cycle.

Michael Creed

Question:

108 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education whether it was intended that the three-year senior cycle at second-level would be available free of charges to the students; and her views on the fact that students who opt for a three-year cycle by way of repeat leaving certificate are currently being levied for the additional examination charges thereby incurred. [24090/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As outlined in the White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future, students may now spend up to three years in senior cycle. They may follow a two-year leaving certificate programme immediately after junior certificate or they may opt to follow a transition year programme before a two-year leaving certificate.

The circumstances in which an individual pupil may repeat a year at second level were advised to schools in May 1995 in the form of Circular M2/95 — Repeat of a Year at Post-Primary Level. This circular clarified and consolidated the arrangements outlined previously in the light of the extension and restructuring of the senior cycle.

Pupils who have sat the leaving certificate examination may be enrolled as recognised pupils to repeat leaving certificate year two and the appropriate leaving certificate examination on payment of the appropriate course and examination fees. However, these charges may not apply or may be reduced where the parents hold a current medical card.

An important overall objective of the restructuring of the senior cycle is to provide for the holistic development of all students through the development and provision of new programmes such as the transition year programme which is now available in most schools. Schools are not permitted to offer a three-year leaving certificate programme, since this would undermine the transition year objective.