Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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583. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a mature student who is studying for leaving certificate Irish in a private college (details supplied) will be receiving accredited grades in their subjects; if not, the alternative arrangements available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16677/21]

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 option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. Leaving Certificate students have the option of whether to sit the examinations, receive SEC Accredited Grades, or both, on a subject by subject basis. Those who opt for both will have their better grades in each subject reflected in their results.

A Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021 has been published and is available on www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate . Students and parents are encouraged to read the guide to familiarise themselves with the processes in place for the certificate examinations in 2021.

On 22 March, my Department published a Guide to Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021 for Out-of-School Subjects, and Out-of-School Learners. The guide and a short animated guide are available to download on www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate .

The Guide provides information for two broad categories of out-of-school candidates for whom some special arrangements need to be provided. Out-of-School Subjects refers to students who are enrolled in, and studying in, a school on a full time basis but are also studying an extra subject, or subjects, entirely outside of school. Out-of-School Learners refers to students who are entered for the examinations as external candidates and who are not attending for fulltime tuition at any school, or private college, recognised by the State Examinations Commission. Every effort will be made to provide Accredited Grades to as many students as possible, provided that there is evidence, on which an estimated percentage mark can be based.