Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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386. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether charging first-time students to sit the leaving certificate €160 and charging repeat students €301 is fair; her further views on whether the price difference is discriminatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16636/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The examination entry fee for repeat candidates has increased from €284 in 2011 to €301 in 2012, an increase of 6%. This is the same level of examination fee increase which has applied to the fees generally for Leaving Certificate candidates.

Special examination entry 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 free second level education to make a contribution towards the cost of providing the necessary resources.

Examination entry 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 candidates or their parent/guardian who have been awarded a full medical card are exempt from the payment of examination entry fees. This exemption applied to approximately 39% of all examination candidates in 2014.