Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

309 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps which are being taken by his Department to assist non-national students who experience difficulties in examinations due to problems understanding questions in the English language; if he will consider allowing such examination questions be translated into the native language of the student to assist such students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29542/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department provides examination papers in both Irish and English only.

It is not feasible to provide customised question papers on an individual candidate basis having regard to the particular mother tongue. As a matter of general policy and in the interests of equity, my Department does not provide any facility in individual cases at the examinations when it is not in a position to provide such a facility for all candidates in a similar position. This policy must also apply in this case.

The Deputy will appreciate that to provide a translation in any one language would require the creation of a capacity to respond in any world language and to the translation standard essential to ensuring that all technical terms are properly converted. As far as my Department is aware such a facility is not provided in other comparable jurisdictions.