A key consideration in relation to the issuing of examination results is to ensure that the results are received by all candidates on the same day. This is important in minimising the stress and anxiety on students. An Post can guarantee next-day delivery of the results to the 800 second level schools, whose addresses are long established and well known. A similar next day success rate could not be achieved in the case of over 60,000 items where additionally there would be a degree of address change.
The experience with the direct posting of results to external candidates at the leaving certificate supports the view that it would be extremely difficult to reach all students on the one day other than through the schools.
I propose to keep this matter under review in consultation with the education partners and An Post.