David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with leaving certificate, higher level maths paper 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16846/11]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the leaving certificate higher level mathematics paper I that was issued to students on Friday, 10 June 2011, with reference to the construction and phraseology of questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16238/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 117 together.

The State Examinations Commission has operational responsibility for the certificate examinations. I have been advised that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) is satisfied that the questions asked on the Mathematics paper are within the parameters of the syllabus. In respect of specific queries which have been raised the SEC has confirmed that Question 7 (b) as presented is correct and that the material examined in Question 8 (c) is within the syllabus.

Comments and observations regarding test instruments are an intrinsic part of the feedback that SEC would expect to receive in any year. The well-tried methodology in place to deal with issues that arise in the course of the examination process is the development of the marking scheme by the Chief Examiner and his college of examiners in light of the circumstances of that year's examinations. All observations received in relation to a subject are reviewed by the Chief Examiner in the context of preparing the marking scheme for that subject. I am satisfied that the SEC has well-established procedures in place to ensure that assessment procedures operate in accordance with the principles of fairness, equity and quality assurance.