Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 2

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examinations.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

192 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to review the procedure and system for rechecks of the leaving certificate examination results whereby the timing and outcome of these rechecks is many weeks after the CAO has offered its full round of places at third level colleges; if he will confirm that anyone who gets an increased number of marks arising out of a recheck will be given the course of their choice at the appropriate college; if his attention has been drawn to the situation where many have to take up courses in the United Kingdom while still awaiting the outcome of the recheck process; if he will ensure that the outcome from rechecking is arrived at on a much more speedy basis in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19733/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Every effort is made, by my Department, to ensure that the result of rechecks are made available as quickly as possible to candidates.

In 1998, in the interests of greater openness and transparency, I arranged for candidates for the first time ever to have access to their marked examination scripts in many subjects. As a result candidates were in a position to make a more informed decision regarding the need to appeal. To provide time for this very worthwhile and innovative development it was necessary to have a later closing date for appeal applications and it was moved back from 27 August in 1997 to 9 September this year. In extending the timescale for appeals I was also addressing concerns that in previous years candidates were placed under extreme time pressure in reaching a decision as to whether or not to appeal.

The appeal process involves a full remarking of the candidates work and it is necessary to provide examiners with adequate time to engage in that task. This year my Department issued the outcome of appeals to schools and the central applications office on 8 October.

In relation to course offers every effort is made by third level colleges to ensure that candidates who qualify for a particular course as a result of an upgrade are facilitated in taking up that course.

I recognise the benefit of the earliest possible notification of the outcome for candidates who qualify for a revised course offer and wish to take up that revised offer. My Department will continue to work to ensure that the outcome of appeals is available at the earliest possible date having regard to the clear desirability of providing candidates with an opportunity to view their scripts and the requirements of the remarking process itself.