Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Art Exam.

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

156 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of the 51 candidates who were not credited with a part of their 1995 leaving cert art examination who received no credit for sections of the paper other than craft or design. [4804/96]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

157 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of the 51 candidates who were not credited with a part of their 1995 leaving certificate art examination who received no credit for the design section of the paper. [4805/96]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

158 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of the 51 candidates who were not credited with a part of their 1995 leaving certificate art examination who received no credit for the craftwork section of the paper. [4806/96]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

159 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education whether her Department verbally contacted the 51 candidates who were not credited with a part of their 1995 leaving certificate art examination to apologise to them for the error and to offer guidance and counselling. [4807/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I intend to take Questions Nos. 156, 157, 158 and 159 together.

Of the 51 candidates referred to by the Deputy, 49 were not credited with a craftwork component, one was not credited with a design component and one, who was credited with all four components, was found to warrant an upgrade due to the incorrect processing of an appeal.

In the case of each upgrade, my Department first contacted the relevant school by 'phone to express regret and to offer advice and assistance to the candidate or candidates in question. Following this contact, revised results were issued to the schools.

The mother of one of the candidates in Ursuline College, who had personally corresponded with my Department, was also contacted by 'phone prior to the issue of revised results to the school. Subsequently, at the invitation of the school principal in Ursuline College, two officials of my Department travelled to the college and met teachers, students and parents.

Since the notification of revised results, a number of parents and some of the principals of the schools concerned, have been in communication with my Department regarding the individual circumstances of candidates.