Vol. 482 No. 6
465 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that exam papers will not be shredded until all students inquiries regarding examination results have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18905/97]
I presume the Deputy is referring to examination scripts as distinct from examination papers. It is my Department's policy to retain examination scripts which have been appealed by individual candidates until 31 December of the year following the year of examination. On that basis scripts appealed in 1997 will be retained until 31 December 1998. This position applies whether or not the appealed script is the subject of ongoing correspondence.
I should add that my Department consulted and obtained the agreement of the Office of the Ombudsman to this approach.
