Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

370 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a complaint from a person (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the refusal by a school (details supplied) to allow a leaving certificate student permission to sit the leaving certificate examination in that school's exam centre; if he has considered the complaint; if he will make arrangements to allow the student sit the exam at the school concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21993/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware that representations about this case have been made to my office. The position is that a student who is not attending a second level school full-time may be admitted to the leaving certificate examination as an external candidate. While in practice many schools are prepared to provide places for external candidates there is no obligation on a school to accommodate students who are not attending the school. In this case the student concerned is not attending the school which was his preferred choice as an examination centre and the school apparently was unable to accommodate him. On his application form the student has selected another centre and my Department will make every effort to ensure that he is accommodated in that centre.