Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will impose notations on the leaving and junior certificate 2007; the reason her policy is that appeals against notations cannot be successful; the purpose for allowing appeals that cannot be successful; the reason children with a specific learning disability must make appeals in writing and cannot meet the appeal board; the further reason the integrity of the certificates and resultant notation is necessary for the disabled but not for persons undertaking exams through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3438/07]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will apply a notation, for the benefit of end users, to the 2007 examination results where students, who undertake examinations through Irish, receive the additional marks or who would otherwise fail the examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3440/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 491 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, this Government has shown an unrivalled commitment to ensuring that children and young people with special needs get the extra support they need in order to reach their full potential at school. We have dramatically expanded investment in special education in recent years and we have improved access to the State examinations for young people with special needs.

Annotations on certificates only apply in situations where a core area of a subject is not assessed, or where the mode of assessment used has the same effect. This is used to ensure fairness and integrity vis-À-vis other students who have been assessed in these components, and in order not to mislead the end user of the certificate. The scheme was introduced following the report of an expert advisory group, and the introduction enabled opportunities to be provided for exemptions where a candidate was not in a position to demonstrate achievement in a core area of assessment.

When the scheme of accommodations was expanded in 2000 an appeals system was provided for, enabling candidates to appeal decisions within the framework of principles recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. It is normal practice for appeals systems to operate with a clear mandate, and the set of principles adopted in this respect was in keeping with international practice. While the appeal process is generally conducted by means of submission of documentation, in order to ensure minimal disruption and expense for appellants, oral appeals are facilitated where they are requested.

The policy of awarding bonus marks for Irish in the State examinations was introduced by the government in the 1920s as one of a number of initiatives to promote the study of subjects through Irish, reflecting the Constitutional position of Irish as the first language. This continues to the present day in the context of wider public policy to promote the Irish language, and is a facility open to all students. In such cases the candidates have been assessed in all components of the examination, and the issue of annotation does not arise.

The recent findings of the Equality Tribunal on the issue have been appealed to the Circuit Court. I have also asked the State Examinations Commission to re-examine policy and practice in this area. It is important that our system continues to evolve in line with best practice, promoting high standards of quality and integrity while ensuring access, participation and benefit for all our students. I do not anticipate that changes will be made to practice in this area in advance of the outcome of the review and the findings in regard to the appeal.