Vol. 484 No. 2
37 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to extend the proposal that the children of families who qualify for medical cards would be exempt from second level examination fees in view of the fact that there are many on social welfare who do not qualify for medical cards. [21618/97]
72 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will remove examination fees for all students in view of his recent decision to remove examination fees from medical card holders or the children of students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21697/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 72 together.
I would like to clarify that I have removed examination fees from all students who are covered by the medical card scheme either directly or as the dependants of medical card holders. The new provision is possible because I have secured extra funding of £1.6 million for the alleviation of examination fees in 1998 bringing the total amount available for that purpose to £2.1 million.
My priority was to target those most in need of assistance and that is why I have concentrated the available funding on the removal of fees for those covered by the medical card scheme.
In future years, and as resources permit, it may be possible to extend the exemption further.
