Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.

Richard Bruton

Question:

1199 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some boards of management have made decisions that would debar pupils who are attending private schools from taking their examinations in examination centres on property managed by the school boards; if he will clarify the contractual arrangement which the Department has with schools in respect of examination centres, specifically in relation to the selection of pupils who may take their examinations; and his views on a situation where a citizen wishing to take a State examination is being frustrated in finding a convenient and accessible examination centre for the purpose. [1736/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

A student who is not attending a second level school full-time may be admitted to the leaving certificate examination as an external candidate. In practice, many schools are prepared to provide places for external candidates to sit the examinations but there is no obligation on a school to accommodate such students.

In order to cater for external candidates my Department establishes examination centres in private institutions and also rents accommodation to cater for shortages. If the candidate in question contacts the examinations branch of my Department I will arrange to have details of such rented accommodation made available.