Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the clash between State exams in Ireland and the equivalent exams in Ukraine; the number of students affected by the clash; and the contingency plan in place for students wishing to sit both exams. [23759/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has operational responsibility for the State examinations in Ireland. The 2024 Leaving Certificate examinations will run from Wednesday 5^th June to Tuesday 25^th June inclusive. The SEC does not record details of the nationality of candidates taking state examinations nor is the SEC able to offer any alternative timetabling arrangements in these circumstances.

I am informed that the Ukrainian Authorities set the dates for their own Ukrainian State Examinations known as the National Multi Subject Test (NMT) and the NMTs are convened at the same time across countries. These examinations are the responsibility of the Ukrainian Centre for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA).

I understand that the 2024 NMT will take place in Munster Technological University Kerry on the 4^th of June and on dates from 11^th to the 14^th of June 2024 and that there are approximately 400 candidates registered to sit NMT in MTU this year. This compares to 660 candidates last year.

I can further advise that if the assigned NMT examination date does not suit the student then they should be advised to get in touch with the UCEQA through their student portal to request a different examination date.

Each year the State Examination Commission publishes the timetables for the State Examinations well in advance to inform candidates and schools of upcoming examination dates. The 2024 Examination timetable was publicised in December 2023.