asked the Minister for Education the percentage increase in examination fees in respect of the leaving certificate and intermediate certificate examinations in 1974 as against those obtaining in 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Examination Fees.
40.
Mr. R. Burke
The entry fees for the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations in 1973 were £1 and £1.25 respectively. These have been increased to £1.50 and £2 for the 1974 examinations, which represents an increase of 50 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
Is the Minister happy that, having regard to the other costs falling on the parents of students, he was justified in increasing the examination fees to the extent which he has done?
Mr. R. Burke
There is a difference between happiness and justification. Of course I am not happy that I had to increase the fee but I will now proceed to show the Deputy that the increase was justified. The last increase in these fees was in 1964. Since 1964 the increase in the consumer price index was approximately 63 per cent. The corresponding increase in the entry fees based on that percentage increase would have been £1.63, intermediate, and £2.03, leaving. These figures were rounded down to £1.50 and £2 respectively. Approval was received from the National Prices Commission to introduce these new fees for the 1974 examinations.
Would the Minister accept that this was one area where he might have followed the good example of his predecessor and not imposed on the parents of these children that which he was entitled to do but which he should not have done?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy realised that this figure, even as it has been increased, represents only a small proportion of the total costs to the Department he would understand the position.