Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 418: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the reason repeat leaving certificate students are charged €284 to sit the leaving certificate examination, while first-time examinees are only charged €109; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13706/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Special fees for repeat candidates were introduced in 1987 on the basis that it is not unreasonable to expect those who have already benefited 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. Additional demands on the system have been arising 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.

There is an alleviation scheme in place whereby current medical card holders and their dependents are exempt from the payment of fees. This exemption applies to approximately 30% of all examination candidates each year. This alleviation scheme also applies in the case of repeat candidates in respect of both the course fee and the repeat examination fee.