Ó Ríordáin repeats call to waive Leaving Cert exam fee this year
Labour spokesperson on Education, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D, has said that extending the deadline for payment of the Leaving Cert exam fee this year doesn’t go far enough, and should be waived in light of the Covid 19 crisis.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin raised the issue with the Minister for Education during statements and questions in the Dáil this evening.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin commented:
“I’m extremely disappointed that the Minister has decided to extend the deadline for payment of the Leaving Cert fee instead of getting rid of it completely during this crisis, as the Labour Party has been calling for.
“Students should not be charged €116 for the privilege of sitting the exam this year, particularly given the really difficult financial situations many families in this country are now finding themselves in.
“That is why I am again calling on the Minister to waive the fee outright this year to take some of that pressure off families during this extraordinary time.”