Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the leaving certificate results for 2016 could be converted into the new points system which is to come into effect in 2017 as a reference for students when completing college applications later in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, from 2017 a new grading scheme for the Leaving Certificate, which will reduce the number of grade bands from 14 to 8 at each level will be introduced.

Under the revised scale, the maximum points available in each subject is 100, and the overall maximum points available, excluding Bonus Points for Maths, is 600. This is the same as the points available under the current scale.

All students applying through the CAO from 2017 will be awarded points under the new scale, no matter when they sat the Leaving Certificate.

Because of the non-linear design and other features of the new points scale, all students regardless of which level they sit, will on average receive slightly less points than under the current system. This means that it is likely that, on average, the points required for entry to particular courses will also be slightly lower from 2017.

However, it is not expected that this change will be out of line with the natural variation of required points which occurs from year to year in any case.

The new points system has been specifically designed to fairly reward scholastic achievement and I can assure you that very extensive and detailed modelling and testing has been conducted by the higher education institutions, with the assistance of both the CAO and other technical experts, to ensure that the revised scale is fair and equitable to all students.

Further detailed information on the new Leaving certificate grading system can be found atwww.transition.ie.