Vol. 545 No. 3
159 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is considering additional measures to assist non-national students who encounter language difficulties in public examinations; if examination papers will be available for the non-language subjects (details supplied) in the language of the persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30237/01]
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 is not in a position to 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.
However, if the Deputy has concerns about the presentational difficulties encountered by some students with regard to the submission of examination work, my Department instructs all examiners who have a difficulty in accessing the information given by a candidate to refer the script to their supervising examiner. This approach is intended to ensure that, notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties, every effort is made by the examiner to ensure that the candidate is given credit for all work done. However, in the event of the examiner encountering difficulty, he or she is instructed to send the answer book to his or her supervising examiner.
