This year’s Leaving Cert results will be published on Friday, August 25th.

It comes following weeks of uncertainty over when the class of 2023 would find out their results.

Traditionally results were issued in the middle of August; however last year they were not released until September 2nd.

Education Minister Norma Foley confirmed the date this afternoon, describing it as a “very welcome step towards pre-pandemic norms”.

Leaving Cert

Minister Foley said it has always been her objective to bring the results date back into August - and said the new exam structure prevents the results being released any earlier.

Pre-pandemic, the results were issued in the first two weeks of August; however, Minister Foley said the new timeframe allows for a deferred examination sitting for candidates who are unable to sit the main exams due to bereavement or major illness or injury.

“There is seven or eight days of a difference in terms of what is being offered now," she said.

“But I would have to say it is a different type of exam that is being offered now. It is not just a first sitting but a second sitting and including the post marking

"There must be some accommodation for that second sitting of exams."

The timeframe will allow the State Examinations Commission to implement a post-marking adjustment to avoid any cliff edge in grades as compared to the pandemic years.

The adjustment will apply to assessment arrangements for students due to sit State exams next year as well as those sitting them this year.

Reporting from Mairéad Cleary.