Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

The results of the appeals against grades awarded in this year's leaving certificate have been released today. The fact that 2,600 candidates received an upgrade six to eight weeks after the start of the academic year is leading to chaos. It means that people who would have been in particular faculties and following particular courses if the proper accreditation had been given to them originally cannot avail of them now. Eight of the 26 weeks in the academic year have already passed and it will cause confusion if people apply now for a change. A total of 30% of candidates in higher level geography, 27% of people in higher level biology and 21% of people in higher level English have received upgrades.