Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Examination Fees.

Seán Haughey

Question:

265 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the recent fee increases in relation to students sitting for the junior certificate and leaving certificate; if he will reconsider this increase in relation to adults returning to second chance education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The ordinary fees for entry to the 1998 certificate examinations have been increased from £46 to £48 for the leaving certificate, including leaving certificate applied and from £43 to £45 for the junior certificate. The entry fee payable in respect of a recognised pupil who remains at school with a view to repeating the leaving certificate examination has been increased from £125 to £130.

Candidates who are not attending school may enter personally for the leaving certificate examination as external candidates. The ordinary fees payable by external candidates for entry to the leaving certificate examination have been increased as follows: £46 to £48 for one subject, £91 to £95 for two subjects and £134 to £140 for three or more subjects.

The maximum fee payable by an external candidate who has not previously sat the leaving certificate examination is £48 which has been increased from £45.

While there has been a modest increase in the fees payable I have also provided significantly increased funding to alleviate examination fees. This year students who hold a current medical card or are dependent on a parent or guardian who is the holder of a current medical card are not liable for examination fees at all. The new provision will exempt an estimated 40,000 students altogether and replaces the existing scheme of fee alleviation for ordinary candidates, leaving certificate repeat candidates and candidates participating under the vocational training opportunity scheme and analogous courses.

In light of the significant improvement I have made in relation to fee alleviation I do not propose to reconsider the fee increases.

I should point out for the Deputy that all adults returning to second chance education who are covered by the medical card scheme will likewise not have to pay examination fees.