Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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775. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider waiving secondary level examination fees for junior and leaving certificate examinations to alleviate the financial burden on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1658/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Given the extraordinary arrangements which applied to examinations in 2020 and again in 2021, fees were not charged. 2022 saw the welcome return of written examinations for all candidates, and on 3 February 2022 I confirmed that fees would not be charged for the 2022 examinations. No decision has yet been made in regard to fees to be charged for 2023.

The Deputy may wish to note that, recognising that not all candidates are in a position to pay examination entry fees, the State Examinations Commission, which has responsibility for the operation of the State examinations, operates a fee alleviation scheme. Candidates who hold a full medical card or who are covered for all services on a parent or guardian’s full medical card are not liable for examination entry fees. In a normal year, approximately 39% of candidates are exempt from fees.