The Minister for Education has announced that the Leaving Cert will go ahead on Wednesday July 29th.
Speaking in the Dáil, Joe McHugh said the timetable and format will be released in the first week of June.
He said he would keep the situation under “close review” in the meantime.
Meanwhile, fees for the exams will not fall due until after they take place.
Min Joe McHugh saying there will be a timetable on the Leaving Cert by the first week of June and it will start on July 29th.
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 23, 2020
“I am confirming in the House tonight that the 29th of July is the start date,” he said.
“The timetabling, which is a really, really important question […] the first week in June will be the time, after the work of the advisory group is completed.
“Working with the State Examination Commission, that will be the date to let students know, in advance of the 29th of July, how the format and how the timetable will look.”
Soc Dems Gary Gannon says he's worried this is becoming "a Dunkirk moment" for the government. That they're determined to go ahead with it at any cost as a sign of resilience
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 23, 2020
A number of TDs, including the Social Democrat’s Gary Gannon and Solidarity TDs Mick Barry and Gina Kenny raised objection to the plan.
Deputy Kenny asked the Minister what would happen if there is no improvement in the public health situation by the start of June.
Meanwhile, Deputy Gannon said the organisation of the State exams was becoming the Government’s Dunkirk moment, suggesting it is determined to go ahead with the Leaving Cert at any cost.
Following @Education_Ire @McHughJoeTD announcement #LeavingCert will begin July 29, we'd like to invite students to an Instagram live with a guidance counsellor tomorrow night at 8pm over on @unicef_ireland_youth #ForEveryChild #Support pic.twitter.com/u3ZPjwmQy5
— UNICEF Irl YOUTH (@UnicefIRLyouth) April 23, 2020
Minister McHugh encouraged young people to reach out for help if they are feeling stressed or unsure about sitting the exams amid the outbreak.
He said the department was establishing a dedicated helpline to support students.
