Written answers

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Department of Education and Skills

State Examinations

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the delay in receiving leaving certificate calculated grades will impact on students that have applied to study at an EU member state university many of whom require results in August 2020 to secure an offer of a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18194/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Generally, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures, and as such, have administrative policies and deadlines in place to ensure that teaching and learning is delivered in a consistent manner to all of their students.  All EU Member States have challenges similar to ours in addressing the concerns of students this year due to the COVID pandemic.

On  21st July, I wrote to the Ministers with responsibility for higher education in all of the EU Member States, advising them of the date of issue of the 2020 Leaving Certificate results.  I asked the Ministers that their authorities, including their universities, give special consideration and flexibility to Irish students who may not have their Leaving Certificate results in time to complete the processing of their admissions at the usual time.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will provide guidance for students that have applied to study at an EU member state university that will be impacted by the decision to delay the issuing leaving certificate calculated grades until September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18195/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Generally, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures, and as such, have administrative policies and deadlines in place to ensure that teaching and learning is delivered in a consistent manner to all of their students. All EU Member States have challenges similar to ours in addressing the concerns of students this year due to the COVID pandemic.

I have written to all EU Ministers with responsibility for higher education, and sought their assistance to seek special consideration and flexibility from their universities with regard to the registration of Irish students.  However, it is also important for the students themselves to engage with the universities in question directly to puruse that flexibility.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

443. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has notified her EU counterparts of the decision to delay issuing the leaving certificate calculated grades until September 2020; if she has proposed plans to accommodate students studying at EU member state universities; if she requested flexibility for students coming from Ireland to study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18196/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Generally, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures, and as such, have administrative policies and deadlines in place to ensure that teaching and learning is delivered in a consistent manner to all of their students.  All EU Member States have challenges similar to ours in addressing the concerns of students this year due to the COVID pandemic.

 On  21st July, I wrote to the Ministers with responsibility for higher education in all of the EU Member States, advising them of the date of issue of the 2020 Leaving Certificate results.  While recognising that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures, I have requested that their authorities, including their universities, give special consideration to Irish students who may not have their Leaving Certificate results in time to complete the processing of their admissions at the usual time.

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