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 Examination Fees - State Examinations Commission (www.fees.examinations.ie/). Instructions on how to use the online fee service are set out in the User Guide at www.fees.examinations.ie/. Phone and email help desk services are available to school authorities and families who need assistance. Those who might have a difficulty using the online facility to make a payment or to apply for an exemption are advised to contact Fees Section in the SEC by e-mail at fees@examinations.ie for assistance.
By way of background the online Examination Fee Payment Portal was developed in 2018 to allow candidates to pay examination fees or submit an application for a fee waiver. In 2019, almost all candidates used the Examination Fee Payment Portal. In addition, candidates who paid their examination fees online in 2019 and were due a refund were reimbursed directly to the appropriate account. In previous years, the monies had to be distributed manually through the schools. This added further stress to parents/guardians, candidates and schools.
In 2026 school authorities were required to support the State Examinations Commission in the fee collection arrangements by notifying candidates and parents/guardians of how to pay the fee or claim fee exemption through the SEC’s online fee service which opened at 2 pm on Thursday 19 March. Schools supported this process by arranging for the distribution of individualised letters containing details to access the online service to candidates and their families.
