asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the fact that (1) examinations for county council scholarships from primary to secondary schools; (2) preparatory college entrance examinations and (3) examinations for Gaeltacht children for entrance to approved secondary schools are held simultaneously each year and that a candidate cannot, therefore, attempt all three examinations in the one year; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to have this situation remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Scholarships.
The examinations for county council scholarships, for entrance to the preparatory colleges and for Fíor-Ghaeltacht scholarships are held in Easter week each year.
The examination for Fíor-Ghaeltacht scholarships is identical with the preparatory college entrance examination except in relation to the number of subjects to be taken and there is nothing to prevent an eligible candidate from competing at both these examinations in the same year. The preparatory college entrance examination is based on the programme of Standard VII in national schools and the county council scholarships examinations is based on the programme of Standard VI, while the prescribed maximum age limits for these examinations also differ by a year. There is, accordingly, no real obstacle in the way of prospective candidates to competingat these examinations in turn. There are serious administrative objections to holding these examinations at different times.
Having regard to all the circumstances, therefore, I am satisfied that the existing arrangements are reasonable and as suitable as can be made.
Does the Minister not agree that candidates from the Gaeltacht who wish to sit for examinations (1) and (2) are debarred from sitting for examination (3) in view of the fact that the examinations are held simultaneously, and could he not have No. (3) examination held at a later date, and thereby give an opportunity to the candidates of sitting for all three examinations?
A great deal of consideration has been given to the matter of these examinations and it would be administratively objectionable to try to make a change. The regulations are operating reasonably well. We cannot make regulations to cover exceptional circumstances.
Regulations are made to be altered when occasion arises.