John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 856: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) who is not a medical card holder has to pay €250 for the papers to repeat their leaving certificate in view of the fact they feel discriminated against as pupils sitting the examination pay a lower fee; the fees that have to be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10071/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The 2007 examination fee for Leaving Certificate candidates is €96. The fee for school-based repeat Leaving Certificate candidates is €251.

Special fees for repeat candidates were introduced in 1987 on the basis that it is not unreasonable to expect those who have already benefitted from the normal course of second level education, and who wish to take an extra year, to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources. A course fee is also payable in respect of such candidates.

Examination fees generally cover only a fraction of the cost of running the examinations. The costs associated with the certificate examinations have been spiralling in recent years due to the introduction of new methods of assessment in various subjects and to continuing increases in special arrangements for students with special needs.