Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2026, the Government has reintroduced examination entry fees at the same rate as when they were last charged in 2019. Fee rates for the 2026 examinations, which have remained unchanged since 2012, are:

• €116 for Leaving Certificate candidates.
• €109 for Junior Cycle candidates.

Not all families are liable to pay examination fees. Any student with a full medical card, or covered under a parent or guardian’s card, will continue to be fully exempt. This approach strikes a fair balance, maintaining support for those who need it most while restoring a long-standing contribution towards the cost of running the examinations system.

Since the announcement, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has communicated with candidates and school authorities about the reintroduction of examination fees. The SEC’s online fee collection facility went live on 19 March 2026, providing a user-friendly service for paying the fee or claiming an exemption. The process is straightforward, transparent, and well signposted, with full details available from the SEC at: fees.examinations.ie/. Phone and email help desk services are available to school authorities and families who need assistance. Students have until the end of April to pay their entry fees and the SEC continues to monitor the situation.