Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the leaving certificate examination fee will be waived for 2021 given the extreme financial difficulties caused by Covid-19; if students who receive SEC-accredited grades will only be required to pay an examination fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10572/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.

This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021 Advisory Group and sub-group.

This decision ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.

Putting in place both the examination and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure.

Under the SEC-Accredited Grades process, students will have the opportunity to opt to receive an SEC-Accredited Grade. They can also opt to sit the Leaving Certificate Examination. Students will opt into these processes on a subject by subject basis.

In light of the ongoing pandemic, and the impact this has had on students due to take their examinations in 2021, I have directed that Leaving Certificate Examination fees should be waived and that there should be no fees for SEC-Accredited Grades.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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545. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the fees paid for entry to the 2019 State examinations by leaving certificate, including the leaving certificate applied and junior certificate candidates, in tabular form. [10573/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded the query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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546. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all junior certificate students who were unable to complete their State examinations in 2020 due to Covid-19 have received their State certificate of completion; if this is not the cause for the delay, when students can expect to receive their certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10574/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My predecessor, as Minister for Education and Skills, announced revised arrangements for the Junior Cycle 2020 on 29 April last.

Under the revised arrangements and in light of the exceptional circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were asked as soon as possible after the end of the 2019/20 school year, to furnish students with a written school report on their learning achievements in each subject, short course and/or priority learning unit as appropriate.

The work and achievement of students who were in third year of Junior Cycle in the academic year 2019/20 would also be recognised with a State Certificate of Completion from the Department of Education.

Work is ongoing in the development of this certificate and my Department will contact schools shortly to verify the Junior Cycle data held regarding the subjects, short courses and priority learning units being taken by students, as appropriate. This data will inform the production of the State Certificate of Completion, which will issue in the weeks following the data verification period.

My Department is aware of some former Junior Cycle 2020 students who are seeking to commence apprenticeships. Following consultation with SOLAS, as an interim measure, for eligibility purposes and pending issue of the State Certificate of Completion, my Department is providing on request a letter of confirmation to those who are due to receive the State Certificate of Completion.

In order for the letter of confirmation to be prepared individuals or their parents/guardians are being advised to get in touch with my Department to provide permission for contact to be made with the student's school in order to obtain the relevant information.

All students who have responded to my department has been provided with a letter of confirmation.

It should be noted that the above interim measure only applies to individuals who were due to sit the Junior Cycle examinations in 2020.