Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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754. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if gifted children may apply to sit their junior certificate and leaving certificate earlier than usual, if they prove ready; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28236/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, to be eligible to be admitted to the Junior Certificate Examination, a student must have followed an approved Junior Certificate course of not less than three years' duration.

Likewise, to be eligible for admission to the established Leaving Certificate Examination, a student must have followed an approved established Leaving Certificate course as a recognised senior pupil for not less than two years.

Education is about more that the examinations. It is about having a quality education experience that meets the needs of all students, included the most gifted. It is about their school providing each student with the opportunity to develop a range of skills, gain knowledge and confidence in the area of wellbeing so that the young person has the skills to make informed choices in relation to healthy options in life. It is about participating and socializing with peers, being involved, for example, in the Student Council, in team sports, in musicals etc. Post-primary education is about so much more than the examination. It is about, in particular, preparing the student for life.

There is no provision at present for any student to obtain a derogation from the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools.