Vol. 574 No. 5
167 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if asylum seekers who have completed the leaving certificate are normally allowed to go on to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/03]
177 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason asylum seekers who have completed their leaving certificate are not normally allowed to go on to third level education; and if something practical can be done on this issue. [27852/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 177 together.
The position in relation to asylum seekers who have completed the leaving certificate examination is that there is nothing to prevent such students applying through the Central Applications Office for a place in a third level institution.
168 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the options for leaving certificate students whose first language is not English and who have a difficulty overcoming the language barrier, details supplied. [27677/03]
The State Examinations Commission provides examination papers in both Irish and English only, and is not in a position to provide customised question papers in a candidate's mother tongue. As a matter of general policy and in the interests of equity, the State Examinations Commission is not in a position to provide any facility in individual cases at the examinations when it is not in a position to provide such a facility for all candidates in a similar position.
However, the commission instructs all examiners who have a difficulty in accessing the information given by a candidate to refer the script to their advising examiner. This approach is intended to ensure that, notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties, every effort is made through the examining process to ensure that the candidate is given credit for all work done.
My Department provides additional assistance to schools catering for non-national pupils who have difficulty as a result of English not being their mother tongue. At post-primary level this ranges from three extra teaching hours per week for schools with one pupil in this position, to a full-time additional post where there are at least 14 pupils for whom English is not the mother tongue. My Department also provides funds to Integrate Ireland Language and Training to provide training and support materials for teachers in meeting such pupils' needs. In addition, pupils may also avail of the support of the school's learning support teacher or resource staff where this is deemed to be warranted by the school.
