Vol. 537 No. 5
583 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is confined to a wheelchair due to her medical condition; if he will waive the examination fee in view of her long-term illness and taking into consideration the fact that she has a long-term hospital service card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17023/01]
The position regarding the alleviation of entry fees for the State examinations is that for the 2001 examinations students who are covered by the means-tested general medical services card scheme, either directly or as the dependants of medical card holders, are not liable to pay fees.
My priority is to target those most in need of assistance, and the available funding is concentrated on the removal of fees for those covered by the medical card scheme, who are generally recognised as the most disadvantaged in society.
In future years, and as resources permit, it may be possible to extend the exemption further.
