Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

David Stanton

Question:

286 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 17 December 2002, the number of certificates withheld from junior certificate students in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively as a result of students not paying the examination fee; if he will consider an amnesty for these students and release the certificates for these years and for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The withholding of the final certificate of junior certificate results because of the non-payment of examination entry fees applied for the first time in 2000 when an individual bank giro facility for the payment of entry fees by each candidate was introduced.

In 2000, the final certificates of 919 junior certificate candidates were withheld. These candidates did, however, receive their examination results in September 2000.

Having considered the various approaches available to address non-payment of examination entry fees, namely, candidates not being permitted to sit the examinations, withholding of results, or the withholding of the final certificate, my Department regards the withholding of the final certificate as an appropriate approach, particularly in the interest of fairness to the vast majority of candidates who paid their entry fees.

Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 259.