Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important that that be done. There is a set timeframe which the Minister will reveal. It is very, very regrettable. Believe me, it is not something about which I or anybody wanted to hear, least of all the students themselves. I know it will cause additional alarm and worry. The objective now is to reassure students in terms of the places they already have and, if necessary, in terms of creating additional places for students who may now qualify for third level courses. All of that has to be still worked out in terms of the CAO and the availability of places on various courses. I know the Minister is particularly sorry for students that this has occurred. The system was introduced to replace the physical leaving certificate. External expertise was brought in. I understand the code was developed externally and it was the first error identified by the external consultant, Polymetrika International Inc. The second error was discovered by the Department as it was going through the matter.

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