asked the Minister for Education whether, in the light of the fact that his decision to implement the provisions in All Our Children in respect of carrying forward three or more leaving certificate successes to subsequent examinations was made too late for candidates to enter in the 1970 examination, no provision being made for late entrance in these cases, he will now make special provision for these cases where the course has changed in the meantime, e.g. by recognising the E grade in an honours paper in the 1969 examination as a pass grade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.
37.
The circular letter outlining the conditions for obtaining the leaving certificate by accumulation of credits was issued to schools on 6th April, 1970. Entries for admission to the leaving certificate examination, 1970, were accepted subsequent to the issue of that circular letter. I do not propose to make nor do I feel that I would be warranted in making special provision on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Would the Minister not agree in a case, of which he must be aware, representations were made by a parent about this attempt to reverse the provisions in All Our Children, that he did not get a reply until the end of May on this point from the Minister's Department? He was then told it was too late for his son to enter for the examination. In view of the fact, whatever date the circular was issued, the Minister did not reply to this particular person until the end of May, some provision should be made to deal with this particular case.
I certainly cannot make changes to deal with one specific case. I would point out to the Deputy, as I mentioned already, that applications were in fact accepted after the 6th April — in fact up to the beginning of June.
Could the Minister say if that is the case how it was that this particular person was refused?
I am not aware of this but, if the Deputy would let me look at the case——
I will let the Minister.
At the same time I cannot agree to change the whole system just to deal with specific cases.
I am trying to show to the Minister that earlier, at the end of May, the parent replied and was immediately refused.
That is another matter. The applicants were accepted after the date on which the circular was issued. The Deputy's question implies that this is not so. A considerable number were accepted after that date.
The Minister did not inform this person until the end of May and then when he tried to exercise the right which the circular said he had he was told it was too late.
I am calling the next question.
It obviously was too late but there was a considerable interval after the issuing of the circular during which individuals could apply.
Whom was the circular issued to?
To the schools.
Was it issued to the parents or how were they to know the change had been made?
If people were interested in this matter they would ensure they would know about it and would apply in time.
I will take this up again with the Minister.
Very well, but I do not intend to make a change.