Vol. 486 No. 3
292 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science if the review of an application for special examination arrangements by a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2585/98]
Special arrangements are intended to allow an examination candidate every opportunity to demonstrate his-her level of attainment. The nature of these arrangements must also be such as to ensure that no candidate is given an unfair advantage over other candidates in the same examination. This is essential in the interests of equity and fairness to all candidates and is, of course, vital to the integrity of our examinations.
As Minister I have responsibility for the framing and review of policy in this sensitive and difficult area. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the actual decision in an individual case, involving as it does a careful balancing of needs and responsibilities, is not one which should be taken by a Minister. For this reason while the initial application is considered by my Department, the candidate has a right to appeal to a special arrangements appeal committee. The majority of the members of this committee and its chairperson are external to my Department and it exists to consider individual cases in a thoroughly impartial manner.
I am informed that following its consideration of this case the committee upheld the original decision and the school has been notified of this.
293 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted special arrangements for his junior certificate examination. [2586/98]
This case has been forwarded to the Department's psychological service for its consideration. As soon as this consideration is complete my Department will notify the school authorities of the outcome.
