Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
250. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending the alleviation scheme for the fees for State examinations to holders of general practitioner visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25750/14]
View answerCandidates whose parents or guardians hold a current full medical card are exempted from paying examination entry fees. In 2013, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, some 45,000 candidates benefitted under this scheme. This represents almost 40% of all examination candidates who entered for examinations. There are no plans at present to extend the scheme beyond its current remit.
Fees are collected in order to defray some of the costs of running the examinations but the fees collected each year only account for approximately 14% of the running costs of the examinations. The remaining cost is paid for from exchequer funding.
